Tesla's Cybertruck has sparked not just interest but also controversy, particularly concerning its front trunk-or "frunk"-safety mechanisms.
A recent YouTube experiment by Joe Fay has intensified concerns about whether the frunk's sensors adequately detect and respond to obstructions.
The new video he uploaded showed that he broke his finger after sticking it to the closing trunk. Here's what you need to know about this viral clip.
Tesla Cybertruck's Frunk Test Goes Viral
In a gripping YouTube demonstration, Joe Fay set out to test the Cybertruck's frunk closure system's safety, Gizmodo reports.
Fay recounted criticism from a previous video, where viewers speculated he had manipulated the frunk's sensor. To debunk these claims, he conducted a daring test: placing his finger directly in the path of the closing frunk.
"Everybody kept saying that I pushed up to make it open up and sense my finger, but that's just not true," Fay explained in his video.
Determined to prove his point, he stated he was going to stick his finger "completely flat" against the electric pickup truck this time.
For everybody to see what will happen to the fingers if laid completely flat, Fray said that he's willing to risk it for this experiment.
Before risking his own finger, Fay tested the frunk's force on a stick, which snapped in two under the pressure-a foreboding sign of the frunk's brute force.
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User Experiments Reveal Potential Safety Flaws
The quest for understanding the frunk's sensor system didn't stop at Fay's experiment.
Another YouTuber, Jeremy Judkins, encountered painful results from his own tests, which also went viral, as per Business Insider. After enduring a harsh closure on his finger, Judkins reached out to a Tesla engineer for insight.
The engineer's explanation was unsettling: the frunk's mechanism is designed to increase pressure with each attempt to close when it detects resistance.
The engineer told Judkins that closing it can be harder if there's something like a bag which is sandwiched in between the frunk.
Judkins' further experiments with a bag instead of a body part yielded equally alarming results. The frunk failed to adjust its closing force appropriately, leading to the grim realization that the system does not prioritize safety as expected.
Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures
These revelations have stirred significant concern among Tesla enthusiasts and safety advocates alike. The experiments highlight a critical need for Tesla to revisit the frunk's sensor algorithms and prioritize human safety over presumed obstructions like bags. This adjustment would prevent the frunk from exerting excessive force when encountering resistance, aligning more closely with industry safety standards.
For now, Cybertruck owners and fans may need to exercise caution around the frunk, as the community calls for enhancements to ensure that the vehicle's innovative features do not compromise user safety.