Tesla Updates Door Handles to Prevent Passenger Trapping
▼ Summary
– Tesla is redesigning its electronic door handles to make them more intuitive during panic situations, as stated by design chief Franz von Holzhausen.
– The update will merge the electronic and manual door-release mechanisms into a single button, replacing the current separate locations.
– This redesign is likely a response to a safety probe by the NHTSA following reports of inoperative handles trapping occupants, especially children.
– The NHTSA investigation was prompted by incidents where Tesla owners could not open doors from the outside due to malfunctioning flush-mounted handles.
– Tesla is also monitoring potential Chinese regulatory changes that may ban fully concealed door handles, with plans for a solution.
Tesla is implementing a significant redesign of its electronic door handles, a move driven by safety concerns and ongoing regulatory scrutiny. The company’s design chief, Franz von Holzhausen, confirmed in a recent interview that the updated handles aim to provide a more intuitive experience during emergency situations, particularly when occupants may feel panicked or disoriented.
The core of the update involves merging the electronic and manual door-release functions into a single, unified button. This change addresses confusion and operational difficulties reported by some Tesla owners, especially in instances where the exterior handles, which sit flush against the car’s body, fail to function properly. Under the current design, these two mechanisms are located separately, which has sometimes led to delays or complications when trying to exit the vehicle quickly.
This redesign follows an official safety probe launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is investigating complaints from Tesla drivers who found themselves unable to open doors from the outside. Several reports involved parents struggling to free their children from the vehicle due to malfunctioning handles.
In addition to responding to U.S. investigations, Tesla is closely watching regulatory developments in China, where authorities are considering a ban on fully concealed door handles. Von Holzhausen expressed confidence that the company will introduce an effective solution that aligns with evolving global safety standards.
(Source: The Verge)
