Tesla Cybertruck’s Exoskeleton Raises Safety Concerns, Experts Alarmed by Design

Tesla Cybertruck's angular shape has safety experts afraid that the electric pickup truck's strong stainless-steel exoskeleton could harm pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles on the road.

Tesla Cybertruck's Rigid Frame, Sharp Design Present Safety Issues, Experts Say

Reuters interviewed six safety experts and officials who watched videos of Tesla's crash tests on its first new vehicle in nearly four years, which were aired during a streamed delivery event last week.

Crash test videos that Tesla live-streamed during an event on Nov. 30 were widely shared on social media. Reuters spoke with experts who said they required crash-test data to draw firm conclusions about the safety.

"The big problem there is if they really make the skin of the vehicle very stiff by using thick stainless steel, then when people hit their heads on it, it's going to cause more damage to them," Adrian Lund, the former president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), whose vehicle crash tests are an industry standard, stated.

Tesla emphasized the truck's features that absorb impact during a crash. On Tuesday, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, stated on Twitter that he is "highly confident" that the Cybertruck will be safer for occupants and pedestrians than other trucks.

Meanwhile, Tesla, whose stock was marginally higher at $243.64 in Friday afternoon trade, did not immediately answer calls to comment on safety experts' worries.

Screaming Goat Noises, Apple Podcasts To Be Added To Tesla Vehicles Via Software Update

On Thursday, Tesla formally revealed the details of its 2023 Christmas software update. In true Tesla form, the update offers a mix of critical functional enhancements and a few frivolous ones.

If you've ever wanted to lock your Tesla to the sound of a screaming goat, Road and Track shared, you're in luck. This functionality will be included in the holiday release as part of the Custom Lock Sounds feature. The integration of the Apple Podcasts app will be another feature.

This is critical because Tesla does not support Apple CarPlay, preferring to utilize its own software. The Apple Podcasts app will be the first to debut in the Tesla entertainment system via CarPlay.

A new light show named "The Arrival" and the game "Castle Doombad" will be accessible in the Tesla arcade. Updates are made to "Beach Buggy," "Polytopia," and "Vampire Survivors." The games can now be accessed from the rear touchscreen. Another enhancement for backseat passengers is using wireless Bluetooth headphones when viewing the rear screen.

There are also numerous functional updates incorporated. For example, speed cameras, stop signs, and traffic lights will now be displayed on the navigation screen. If your Tesla is involved in a crash that activates the airbags, it will call 911 automatically.

While parking, a function called High Fidelity Park Assist will show you a 3D depiction of your surroundings. The blind spot cameras have also been updated. When your turn signal is on, and another automobile is detected in your blind area, they will inform you with a red shading.

More live sentry cameras have also been added to the Tesla app. You may now access the left and right pillar cameras, giving you seven viewing positions. The Tesla app's trip planner has also been improved. You may now plan and send a multi-stop trip from the app to your vehicle.

The 2023 holiday update has no set release date other than announcing it would be available next week. Keep an eye out for this latest update, Tesla owners. Don't pass up the chance to turn your car into a screaming goat.

Photo: Phillip Pessar/Wikimedia Commons(CC BY 2.0)