for people who want to make apps for software or make small gadgets that can be used in aptera, maybe give a level of software access for customers, and a specific place in the forum where software and ideas can b submitted, then such software can be modified for default installation in all cars through online software update or something, or the forum can be a source of features made by the community that future customers are directed to for optional apps in teh software, or for even hardware accessories like aesthetics stuff, remote garage opener type stuff, etc etc. just remember to have a no legal liability disclaimer for open source stuff so aptera doesn't get legally hit for somones open source feature. this also allows aptera to not spend to much on non essential features like ac/heater, drivetrain, etc. The advertising of small business gadgets in the buyers option list can also be a source of money, and the community itself would be a "grassroots movement" style marketing stunt.
this is especially practically given many are willing to work on thier own terms without getting payed simply b/c they are hobbyist, they like doing it for fun. this makes it easy to find potential employees wh are actually passionate about the product, a passionate employee is more productive than somone who just wants the pay check. also enthusiast and customers area source of ideas for product improvements and problems which can be useful , such talk comes also comes from passion not monetary incentive. indeed happiness is not always based on money.
for people who want to make apps for software or make small gadgets that can be used in aptera, maybe give a level of software access for customers, and a specific place in the forum where software and ideas can b submitted, then such software can be modified for default installation in all cars through online software update or something, or the forum can be a source of features made by the community that future customers are directed to for optional apps in teh software, or for even hardware accessories like aesthetics stuff, remote garage opener type stuff, etc. just remember to have a no legal liability disclaimer for open source stuff so aptera doesn't get legally hit for somones open source feature. this also allows aptera to not spend to much on non essential features like ac/heater, drivetrain, etc. The advertising of small business gadgets can als o be a source of money, and the community itself would be a "grassroots" style marketing stunt
some such features can be GPS location tracker using teh same hardware online software updates would use to in case it gets towed away for legal reasons or if it gets stolen etc. location can be tracked as long car has battery energy in it.
another can be a camera dash cam that can be useful as source of video legal evidence in case of crash accident, theft, etc
another could be a heads up display by projecting screen light of phones or something onto transparent plastic/windshield
another could be those silly remote start (for heater/AC headstart before getting into really cold/hot car) keys fobs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk_fTTlGcMA b/c people would probably want it anyway.
also voice commands can be done via ones phone microphone syncing to the apteras software, to prevent taking vision focus away from the road when changing something on teh screen like navigation destination (have presets like defining "home" as teh address of the owners home , "work" as the address of the persons work office etc), speaker volume, AC/heater change etc.
another gimmick can be to replace chemical paintjobs with e ink type thing, given it prolly would be valued especially by younger people as a gimmick where u can change the color of ur car anytime with phone etc, display static images, maybe small video graphics (small video to not be distracting on the road although e ink is not distracting like a normal screen is https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/5ff79bf582b26c001731915e ), plus it would replace the paintjob industry at some level. same can be done in interior. when the display is off, it can look like a layer of see transparent glass crystal type thing, that'll be especially apparent under light its nontoxic unlike wraps, it can replace wraps and paintjobs... it could also maybe be a way to message other drivers
with voice to text via phone, or playing when teh car is parked etc.