The Cybertruck in addition to its unique design has also brought several firsts to Tesla. The Cybertruck is the first vehicle to feature a 48-volt low-voltage architecture, a steer-by-wire variable gain steering system, and a high-bandwidth ethernet wiring that transfers data throughout the vehicle using a single loop.
The Cybertruck is also the first Tesla to feature an 800-volt high-voltage architecture, rear-wheel steering, an industry-leading 17.4 inches of ground clearance, and a powered front trunk (frunk).
Elon Musk Reveals Tesla is Already Working to Roll Out 1st Major Cybertruck Hardware Upgrade – “Significant Drivetrain Improvements On the Way” @Tesla @elonmusk #Tesla
-https://t.co/qXWaOTyq0L
- pic.twitter.com/bejIQp36U5
— Torque News (@torquenewsauto) January 15, 2024
Tesla’s all-electric truck is also the first vehicle to feature a 30X cold rolled ultra-rugged stainless steel exoskeleton and is also the first-ever vehicle to be designed from the ground up with Tesla’s next-generation 4680 cells and structural battery pack in mind.
All these firsts have been incredible to see however, some of the Cybertruck advancements such as the Cybertruck’s powered frunk are starting to show some issues.
As I have already mentioned, the Cybertruck’s front trunk is the first powered frunk in a Tesla vehicle. Tesla appears to be proud of this fact as the company has highlighted the Cybertruck’s powered front trunk on several occasions.
However, new owners are finding that the Cybertruck’s front trunks might be a small safety hazard. First, the Cybertruck’s front trunk doesn’t have plastic or other material coverings on the edges which means when the frunk closes metal meets metal.
Second, the Cybertruck’s body panels are built out of ultra-tough bulletproof stainless steel which means when the frunk closes not only metal meets with metal but a rather thick metal at that.
Third, the Cybertruck’s front trunk lacks a pinch sensor around the edges to determine when a finger or other objects are on the way and automatically stop closing.
Add all these three factors together and the Cybertruck’s frunk is shaping up to be a particularly dangerous place for children and anyone not paying attention when the frunk closes.
A video by a new Cybertruck owner from the DblCapCrimpin YouTube channel showcases how dangerous the Cybertruck’s frunk truly is.
The person making the video stuck his hands underneath the Cybertruck’s powered frunk as an experiment and luckily we’re happy to report that he did not suffer any permanent damage.
Tesla Cybertruck Seen in its Natural Habitat Hauling 1,800 lbs of Drywall – Someone Finally Using the All-Electric Truck For Something Other Than Carrying Groceries @Tesla @elonmusk
-https://t.co/9bc0ssY7Jm
- pic.twitter.com/sj5CN3Z3QB
— Torque News (@torquenewsauto) January 12, 2024
The new Cybertruck owner begins his experiment by showing that the all-electric truck does not have a pinch sensor whatsoever on the front trunk.
Initially, the guy puts his entire arm between the frunk and the lower body panel as it closes. Luckily, the Cybertruck’s motors when they meet the resistance of a grown adult male hands rather than go through them stop automatically.
This is good as it means no one should expect to lose an entire arm as a result of the Cybertruck’s front trunk. However, sadly the experiment was not all a success.
The Cybertruck’s frunk stops when met with resistance from a whole arm however, the front trunk is less forgiving for small parts such as fingers.
In the video, the Cybertruck owner puts only his fingers in between and, the powered frunk closes shut on his fingers. Not only that, the frunk remains closed crashing the guy's fingers without any awareness of what has happened.
After being caught by the frunk the person unable to reach the Cybertruck’s frunk manual release has to take out his phone to release himself. Good luck if anyone happens to get both his/her hands stuck.
So what was the damage of the Cybertuck completely closing on a person’s fingers? In the video you can see the Cybertruck noticeably bruise the person’s fingers however, we’re happy to report that he still has his 10 digits.
One thing to note here is that the person had his fingers caught up in a relatively advantageous part of the front trunk, however, the result might have been worse if his fingers were caught up at the sharpest point of the frunk which is the rear frunk’s pointy rear edge.
Given this is Tesla’s first implementation of a powered front trunk, it appears that the EV maker has not fully worked out all the kinks of the new feature.
For example, the Rivian R1T, which features a similar powered frunk has pinch sensors all around the front opening which automatically detect fingers and small objects and stops closing.
Currently, Tesla has not made any statement regarding the powered frunk however, we’ll be sure to keep you posted if we receive official communication from the EV maker. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.
So what do you think? Given Tesla’s safety emphasis surprised to learn Tesla launched the Cybertruck’s powered frunk without pinch sensors? Do you think Tesla should recall the Cybertruck to resolve this issue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Image: Screenshot from DblCapCrimpin YouTube channel
For more information check out: Elon Musk Reveals Tesla is Already Working to Roll Out 1st Major Cybertruck Hardware Upgrade – “Significant Drivetrain Improvements On the Way”
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.