Tesla Cybertruck’s Lead Engineer, Wes Morrill, recently shared some fascinating insights on Tesla’s unique approach to car design in a social media post on X. Morrill highlighted how Tesla’s meticulous attention to detail has made their vehicles stand out in the automotive world.
When looking at the Tesla Cybertruck, it’s clear that the vehicle represents a major achievement in automotive engineering. However, getting to this point took some time and learning. In the early days, Tesla had separate teams working on different aspects of their vehicles. For example, one team focused on the battery while another worked on the vehicle’s structure. Each team had its own goals: the battery team aimed to create a durable, self-contained unit, and the structure team worked on designing a strong, crash-resistant body.
Morrill explained that while this approach resulted in a well-made, safe vehicle, it led to a somewhat inefficient design. The battery was essentially placed in a box that fit into another box within the vehicle. This method was functional but not the most optimized.
Tesla learned from these experiences and made significant changes. They integrated the battery and vehicle structure teams, leading to innovations like the structural battery pack. This design integrates the battery directly into the vehicle’s body, making it an essential part of the car’s structure and improving efficiency. This new approach also maintained high crash safety ratings.
Morrill emphasized that such improvements require organizational changes and a focus on creating the best product without letting personal egos get in the way. He pointed out that this mindset leads to innovation and better products.
https://x.com/wmorrill3/status/1834932936853881343
For instance, the Cybertruck’s design includes features like air suspension for the battery to prevent water damage, a subwoofer that uses the vehicle’s body space efficiently, centralized vehicle controllers, and innovative crash protection methods. Morrill praised the collaborative and open-minded culture at Tesla, which drives the company’s success in creating groundbreaking products.