by New Tesla Door Handles
Following a series of fatal incidents involving Tesla door handles, which reportedly failed to open after crashes, and several lawsuits, the company has introduced a new design for interior door handles. These new elements first appeared on the driverless Cybercab taxi.
The development of Tesla’s mass-market robotaxi is ongoing, and the manufacturer continues to make changes to the vehicle. Recently, two YouTubers managed to examine a new Cybercab prototype in detail, revealing not only the new handles but also a number of other features.
In current Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck models, separate buttons as well as physical handles are used to open the doors from the inside. Emergency release mechanisms for the rear doors are typically located in door pockets behind plastic panels, which can make them difficult to find in an emergency, especially for those unfamiliar with the car.
How the New Mechanism Works
Tesla’s solution involves switching to a small lever that can be easily lifted to activate electronic door opening. If the same lever is pulled harder, it acts as a mechanical emergency release. This system is significantly better than the previous one and is similar to door mechanisms used by companies like Audi and Lexus, where electronic and mechanical opening are combined in a single switch or handle.
Tesla has also taken care to add Braille lettering to the lever, which will help visually impaired people locate it. This will be particularly useful in the Cybercab, where passengers will be transported by an advanced autonomous driving system without a driver in the cabin.
It is expected that this new door handle will be installed on all other existing Tesla models.
Other Cybercab Updates
A number of other changes have also been made to the Cybercab. For example, it now has a charging port at the rear, although it was initially presented without one, as Tesla planned to charge the vehicles wirelessly. However, a significant change found on the recently spotted prototype was the presence of a steering wheel, which is unexpected for an autonomous taxi.
The transition to an integrated door opening system is an important step in improving safety, especially in light of past issues. Implementing similar solutions in future models could significantly improve the brand’s reputation regarding reliability and user-focus. The appearance of a steering wheel in the Cybercab prototype also raises questions about the stages of autonomous technology implementation and possible regulatory requirements that may mandate the retention of traditional control elements for a certain period.
