Every manufacturer of hybrid and electric vehicles provides this level of detailed information to first responders. For example, here's the 36 page emergency response guide for the Ford Maverick:
Even conventional vehicles get at least a rescue sheet illustrating the location of hazards like the fuel tank, airbag inflators and seatbelt pre-tensioners.
Do first responders read these guides on the scene? Or do fire departments study them when a new one is released? Seems like a lot to study ahead of time, seems like a lot to read when lives are on the line.
A motor vehicle extrication is a very technical exercise — firefighters don’t just jump out of the truck and start hacking into a car.
They followed a structured arrival and size-up process that (among many other things) involves identifying and neutralising hazards, such as airbags. To do that, they’ll flick through the rescue guide to find out the locations of things like batteries, and other specific details relevant to the task at hand.
> NOTE: If low voltage power is unavailable and the windows are fully rolled up, the door windows may crack or shatter when you open the doors with the interior manual release handles.
> WARNING: When the doors or the area around the door struts of Cybercab are damaged, the preloaded springs for the doors can pop out when the door opens. Access the vehicle from the undamaged door when possible. If both doors are damaged, open the doors with caution. There is a lower chance of the springs popping out if the door does not fully open. Wear appropriate PPE. […]
I've been in quite a few cars with cool frameless windows. They mostly seem to have the property that the window could plausibly be damaged if one aggressively closes the door with the window all the way up (which the car's electronics will attempt to mitigate). But somehow the Cybercab might have the glass break when opening them! How?
(FWIW, early Tesla Model S cars have the windows done correctly. There is a single interior handle. As you pull it, first it actuates an electronic switch that rolls the window down slightly. Then, as you pull it a bit farther, it mechanically releases the door. If there's no power, then the door still opens, just without the window automatically rolling down a bit first. Maybe Tesla should copy their own previous design?)
The preload spring situation is just delightful. So is the upward-opening door. I hope no one ever rolls a Cybercab over and needs to exit.
If you're opening a damaged door from which a preloaded spring can pop out, this is probably dangerous to someone in the vehicle next to that door. You are on the outside of the door, the hinge mechanisms are inside. So what good is you wearing PPE ...
> After a safety critical event, the doors are designed to automatically unlock.
Is this an issue? It seems like a good thing. The article also points out something unique the tesla does, other cars generally don't
> If a Cybercab Robotaxi is in the roadway or in a dangerous position, first responders can manually move the vehicle using on-board vehicle controls. .... First responders requesting assistance with moving a vehicle must be in uniform and must be ready to present their badge or official identification to the camera on the vehicle B-pillar. A Tesla representative can then verify the first responder’s identity and grant access to the vehicle controls.
This is cool; because with most cars you can't do anything. Now, they can present their badge in uniform and a remote operator can help move the car if need be. Most cars would have to be dragged.
The author then ends with this point
> It’s wild to me that something like this is allowed on the roads with the assumption that first responders will have to take time to learn how it’s different.
Which seems to be referring to the unique ability to move the car, which other cars don't have. If they don't know about this ability, they just treat it like any other car. I don't see what the issue is. Everything else is EV specific (like don't cut through the floor), which is general EV knowledge.
The issue with just "Flash a badge" is that it can easily be exploited in several ways. Municipal police badges don't have digital identifiers on them in the U.S. A high enough resolution resin 3D printer could have you a close enough approximation that the quality of the camera wouldn't be able to distinguish. Not to mention this would allow negatively motivated officers to be able to hijack vehicles, either in the case of preventing someone from being able to flee a dangerous situation or in order to use the vehicle to their own ends such as creating a roadblock. In whatever case it gives the police (or someone imitating them) and unaccountable-at-the-moment tool to use.
Even someone with a Flipper Zero could likely get into the thing and fling it around like a giant R/C toy.
> This is cool; because with most cars you can't do anything.
Put it in neutral and push it, if the wheels are still operable and the slope of the road is favorable?
> NOTE: If low voltage power is unavailable and the windows are fully rolled up, the door windows may crack or shatter when you open the doors with the interior manual release handles.
This one seems particularly unfortunate. All of my road licensed vehicles require opening the doors in order to get to the 12v battery when it fails. Always great to also have to replace a window in that case.
The vast majority of major global automakers program their vehicles to automatically unlock the doors immediately following a severe crash. I think they just weren't eliding the context and posting the full notes, not as criticism of this: nowhere in the commentary mentions it.
> Which seems to be referring to the unique ability to move the car, which other cars don't have.
Most cars with keys in the ignition/keyfob in the car after a crash have the ability to be moved if they are still operational (a requirement of this one too). I'm not sure about Waymo, the Jaguar one does still have a physical steering column though and isn't fully drive by wire.
Every manufacturer of hybrid and electric vehicles provides this level of detailed information to first responders. For example, here's the 36 page emergency response guide for the Ford Maverick:
https://www.ford.com/acslibs/content/dam/na/ford/en_us/image...
Even conventional vehicles get at least a rescue sheet illustrating the location of hazards like the fuel tank, airbag inflators and seatbelt pre-tensioners.
Do first responders read these guides on the scene? Or do fire departments study them when a new one is released? Seems like a lot to study ahead of time, seems like a lot to read when lives are on the line.
A motor vehicle extrication is a very technical exercise — firefighters don’t just jump out of the truck and start hacking into a car.
They followed a structured arrival and size-up process that (among many other things) involves identifying and neutralising hazards, such as airbags. To do that, they’ll flick through the rescue guide to find out the locations of things like batteries, and other specific details relevant to the task at hand.
Tesla and other manufactures also sponsor training events with first responders...
https://abc7.com/post/tesla-hosts-event-aimed-training-socal...
What's up with the doors?
> NOTE: If low voltage power is unavailable and the windows are fully rolled up, the door windows may crack or shatter when you open the doors with the interior manual release handles.
> WARNING: When the doors or the area around the door struts of Cybercab are damaged, the preloaded springs for the doors can pop out when the door opens. Access the vehicle from the undamaged door when possible. If both doors are damaged, open the doors with caution. There is a lower chance of the springs popping out if the door does not fully open. Wear appropriate PPE. […]
I've been in quite a few cars with cool frameless windows. They mostly seem to have the property that the window could plausibly be damaged if one aggressively closes the door with the window all the way up (which the car's electronics will attempt to mitigate). But somehow the Cybercab might have the glass break when opening them! How?
(FWIW, early Tesla Model S cars have the windows done correctly. There is a single interior handle. As you pull it, first it actuates an electronic switch that rolls the window down slightly. Then, as you pull it a bit farther, it mechanically releases the door. If there's no power, then the door still opens, just without the window automatically rolling down a bit first. Maybe Tesla should copy their own previous design?)
The preload spring situation is just delightful. So is the upward-opening door. I hope no one ever rolls a Cybercab over and needs to exit.
Reminds me of SNL Happy Fun Ball:
"Announcer: Yes, it’s Happy Fun Ball! The toy sensation that’ssweeping the
nation! Only $14.95 at participating stores! Get one today!
Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should
avoid prolonged exposure to Happy Fun Ball.
Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.
Happy Fun Ball contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture,should
not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.
Do not use Happy Fun Ball on concrete.
Discontinue use of Happy Fun Ball if any of the following occurs:
itching
vertigo
dizziness
tingling in extremities
loss of balance or coordination
slurred speech
temporary blindness
profuse sweating
or heart palpitations.
If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelterand cover head.
Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types of skin.
When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be returned to its special containerand kept under
refrigeration. Failure to do so relieves the makers of HappyFun Ball, Wacky Products
Incorporated, and its parent company, GlobalChemical Unlimited, of any and all liability.
Ingredients of Happy Fun Ball include an unknown glowing green substancewhich fell to
Earth, presumably from outer space.
Happy Fun Ball has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is beingdropped by our
warplanes on Iraq.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.
Happy Fun Ball comes with a lifetime warranty."
If you're opening a damaged door from which a preloaded spring can pop out, this is probably dangerous to someone in the vehicle next to that door. You are on the outside of the door, the hinge mechanisms are inside. So what good is you wearing PPE ...
> After a safety critical event, the doors are designed to automatically unlock.
Is this an issue? It seems like a good thing. The article also points out something unique the tesla does, other cars generally don't
> If a Cybercab Robotaxi is in the roadway or in a dangerous position, first responders can manually move the vehicle using on-board vehicle controls. .... First responders requesting assistance with moving a vehicle must be in uniform and must be ready to present their badge or official identification to the camera on the vehicle B-pillar. A Tesla representative can then verify the first responder’s identity and grant access to the vehicle controls.
This is cool; because with most cars you can't do anything. Now, they can present their badge in uniform and a remote operator can help move the car if need be. Most cars would have to be dragged.
The author then ends with this point
> It’s wild to me that something like this is allowed on the roads with the assumption that first responders will have to take time to learn how it’s different.
Which seems to be referring to the unique ability to move the car, which other cars don't have. If they don't know about this ability, they just treat it like any other car. I don't see what the issue is. Everything else is EV specific (like don't cut through the floor), which is general EV knowledge.
The issue with just "Flash a badge" is that it can easily be exploited in several ways. Municipal police badges don't have digital identifiers on them in the U.S. A high enough resolution resin 3D printer could have you a close enough approximation that the quality of the camera wouldn't be able to distinguish. Not to mention this would allow negatively motivated officers to be able to hijack vehicles, either in the case of preventing someone from being able to flee a dangerous situation or in order to use the vehicle to their own ends such as creating a roadblock. In whatever case it gives the police (or someone imitating them) and unaccountable-at-the-moment tool to use.
Even someone with a Flipper Zero could likely get into the thing and fling it around like a giant R/C toy.
> Even someone with a Flipper Zero could likely get into the thing and fling it around like a giant R/C toy.
That's the dumbest take I've read on HN in a while.
> because with most cars you can't do anything.
With most cars, if they're capable of being driven, you get inside, turn on the engine, and operate it with the steering wheel and pedals.
This can be done on robotaxi too - there's virtual joystick you can use on screen.
Well, that definitely seems like something that'll be intuitive in a tense situation. Sure hope that screen isn't damaged in a crash.
A virtual joystick. LOL.
> This is cool; because with most cars you can't do anything.
Put it in neutral and push it, if the wheels are still operable and the slope of the road is favorable?
> NOTE: If low voltage power is unavailable and the windows are fully rolled up, the door windows may crack or shatter when you open the doors with the interior manual release handles.
This one seems particularly unfortunate. All of my road licensed vehicles require opening the doors in order to get to the 12v battery when it fails. Always great to also have to replace a window in that case.
These cars likely come with lithium battery for low voltage. They will most likely outlast car itself.
The vast majority of major global automakers program their vehicles to automatically unlock the doors immediately following a severe crash. I think they just weren't eliding the context and posting the full notes, not as criticism of this: nowhere in the commentary mentions it.
> Which seems to be referring to the unique ability to move the car, which other cars don't have.
Most cars with keys in the ignition/keyfob in the car after a crash have the ability to be moved if they are still operational (a requirement of this one too). I'm not sure about Waymo, the Jaguar one does still have a physical steering column though and isn't fully drive by wire.