- Safety fears that emerged after videos of the Cybertruck frunk cutting a carrot in two prompted Tesla to update the vehicle’s pinch prevention software.
- An X user put his fingers on the line to test if the system had improved.
- Although the frunk does appear to have improved, it can still trap and hurt a finger.
Shortly after the launch of the Tesla Cybertruck, real-world users discovered that the pinch prevention system in its frunk wasn’t as good as other vehicles’. In fact, its ability to take chunks out of carrots and cut them in half, led many to fear for their fingers. Has a recent OTA update aimed at protecting owners’ appendages helped?
In a video, Jeremy Judkins decided to risk his limb to see if Tesla’s update had worked, and initial signs were good. In informal testing, the auto-closing frunk quickly recognized that its path was being blocked by a banana, and opened up again before harming the fruit — a trial it failed to pass before the update.
Read: Tesla Cybertruck’s ‘Guillotine’ Panels Can Chop Off Carrots, But What About Your Fingers?
Since a banana is softer than a finger, that seems like a good sign, and should mean that the problem is solved. Shouldn’t it? Not one to let such questions go unanswered, Judkins decided to put his body on the line, so that we don’t have to — and this seems as good a time as any to enter a loud, full throated warning that you should absolutely not try this at home. Please don’t put your one mortal body at risk for a truck!
In order to assess the effectiveness of the Cybertruck’s pinch protector update, Judkins ran three tests. First, he put his arm in the path of the closing frunk lid, which resulted in a bit of pressure, but nothing unbearable. Second, he let the part close on his hand, and this time felt a little more pressure which left with a line on his skin, but he did not suffer any pain or injury.
However, in the final test — the finger flayer — things predictably went a little sideways. The frunk appeared not to notice that there was an object in its path and continued closing, trapping Judkins pointer in the gap between the lid and the A-pillar, leading to clear panic as he scrambled to release his finger.
Although Judkins was not seriously injured in the experiment, he came away believing that Tesla’s pinch prevention software needs more work. We agree. A modern vehicle equipped with such mechanisms should certainly not be capable of trapping an adult, let alone what it might do to a child.