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by gnabgib·4y ago·view on hn ↗
There are no photos (article seems to include only renders), and no easy way to get a sense of scale. But if this is really designed for children: What about ingress and egress?

Using the one measurement: "14.4 inches of ground clearance".. the first ladder-step is 16-18" off the ground, with the second being perhaps a little closer.. maybe 15" above (this is just a guestimate from the images). There are no obvious hand holds. It's not clear if the bottom of the door ends at the metal/bumper divide or in the bumper section (possibly the small orange light is on the door), but perhaps the door provides a small amount of climbing assistance (on one side only). How is a small child, someone not particularly agile, or even someone later in life going to board (climbing?) or exit (jump?) this thing? Especially with cargo? It's strange they mention the decoration on the seats, but not how it could actually be used.

Update: The Torus website[0] (which this article (by way of a another by Auto Express) just seems to be printing a press releases from) goes into a bit more detail, there is a mid-body door which can optionally have a pneumatic pop-out step, which will improve things (it's still a steep decline - would children be expected to board here too?) Only renders there too. Auto Express estimates the bus approximately costs an eye watering $475K USD

[0]: https://torsus.eu/en/praetorian/school-bus

3 comments
> "14.4 inches of ground clearance".. the first ladder-step is 16-18"

I would be less concerned with in/egress but more with dead kids due to them getting under the bus. There is a reason most busses (and trucks) in countries with proper road laws have required ground clearance shielding on all large vehicles to avoid people getting under them and being driven over. This is a massive step back in that respect and idiotic for a non existent usecase since the kids will be brought to a school which is closed anyway due to every other person not being there.

edit: and I mean this for all the other 360 days of the year since it won't be in the shed and only come out for snowy days.

A lot of buses, both school and commercial, come with extra equipment to help people board. If this thing is to be outfitted as a school bus, presumably it would have extra steps or a ramp or something as an add-on.
They have other Torsus buses that are basically the same vehicle, I'm sure you can find some.

> How is a small child, someone not particularly agile, or even someone later in life going to board (climbing?) or exit (jump?) this thing? Especially with cargo?

"With assistance and some modest level of risk", I'd imagine.