this post was submitted on 02 Jan 2025
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Discussion: Cybertruck involved in attempted bombing in Las Vegas auto-locked after explosion (lemmy.blahaj.zone)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/technology@beehaw.org
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https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/police-investigating-vehicle-explosion-trump-hotel-las-vegas/story?id=117252987

The sheriff said Tesla CEO Elon Musk helped the investigation by having the truck unlocked after it auto-locked in the blast and giving investigators video of the suspect at charging stations along its route from Colorado to Las Vegas.

What if this hadn't been purposeful but an accidental blast... and the doors auto-locked someone inside? Do you need Musk's personal cell number to be able to get out alive? What even is this?

Seriously, how are Tesla's not widely considered dangerous deathtraps at this point.

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[–] TehPers@beehaw.org 64 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Cybertrucks have a lot of problems, but this seemed to be a clearly intentional explosion by somebody.

That aside, can Tesla just unlock any of their vehicles remotely and access all the camera footage on it? That seems like a much bigger problem, especially since Mr. Musk is practically our next president.

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 21 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Then I wonder why not all Teslas are banned in Europe. Damn. I wish they were. Whenever I see a Tesla, no matter if I'm a pedestrian, cyclist, bus rider or driving a car, I always assume they can do unexpected things. Be it the "drivers" using auto-park features which crashes the "car" through a bush, nearly bumping my (parked) car (that was actually scary to watch), unproven and unfinished security features kicking in or the "car" just breaking down (speeding up uncontrollably, steering wheel breaking off, etc.). All of those are things Tesla's death machines do, that others don't. I feel safer in a 20 year old Ford or a VW T1 Bus than I would in a Tesla.

[–] exploitedamerican@lemm.ee 13 points 2 weeks ago

Whenever i see one I have no choice but to yell out “elon musk is a fucking cunt” at the top of my lungs. And it really sucks because i hate saying that chud’s name and prefer to call him “space karen”

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 20 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

clearly intentional explosion by somebody

I was trying to figure this out myself, since the article I saw mentioned fireworks. Are there better details somewhere?

can Tesla just unlock any of their vehicles remotely and access all the camera footage on it

Yes, the first one is arguably a service, but the second one is a problem

https://www.reuters.com/technology/tesla-workers-shared-sensitive-images-recorded-by-customer-cars-2023-04-06/

https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/tesla-camera-scandal-is-the-latest-lesson-in-dangers-of-letting-companies-record-you

Tesla employees passed around videos taken in car owners’ private garages and other interesting recordings captured by the cameras built in to the company’s vehicles, Reuters reported today. “We could see them doing laundry and really intimate things. We could see their kids,” according to one of nine former employees who told the news agency about the practice.

[–] psud@aussie.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago

Can Tesla just unlock any of their vehicles thirdly and access the video

Almost always yes, but it's the same for any modern car

Tesla allows owners to opt out of online services, in which case the video is stored locally briefly and Tesla cannot see anything from the car or do anything to it

Tesla employees got in trouble years ago for sharing sexy videos from random Tesla car drivers and passengers

So don't do anything in or near a Tesla you wouldn't want seen by randoms

[–] JohnEdwa@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

If the car has internet connectivity and an app, then the answer to that question is yes, because that's how the apps work.
And I very much doubt you can find a manufacturer that promises that they definitely don't ever access that functionality or data for any reason whatsoever, especially if the cops or a court orders them to.

[–] Odys@beehaw.org 34 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I don't trust Elon, so I don't trust Tesla. If I would get one for free, I would immediately sell it. I'm not against electric cars in general by the way.

[–] psud@aussie.zone 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I don't trust Elon, but I bought my Tesla before he unmasked himself, while I saw him as the guy who made electric cars cool and rockets reusable, and I still think it's a good, well made, and reliable car

My trust is increased by the recalls the cybertruck has had, as it shows the company is responsive to problems and of course it'll have problems being a new vehicle with a new battery using new technology.

So sure Musk sucks, but I still like the cars and rockets

I don't like JK Rowling either, but the Harry Potter stories are fine

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[–] Gork@lemm.ee 22 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Won't it be difficult to prove that this is due to terrorism since Cybertrucks have a habit of exploding all on their own?

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 28 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Do they? Or is that just an extension of the right wing rumor that EVs explode more often than gas cars?

Cybertrucks are super fucking shitty, but for a lot of other reasons. Shitty to no QA, panels that are not properly attached, incredibly low visibility (even for a truck), undersized drive train components, and low actual utility to name a few. Oh, and everything that Elon is

[–] Skua@kbin.earth 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I do not know the actual answer to this, but I can definitely see a potential causal link between "shitty to no QA" and battery fires

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 15 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

It was a bit of a rhetorical question. EV fires are way less common than gas car fires.

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/electric-car-fire-statistics.html

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/06/01/actually-evs-dont-catch-on-fire-as-frequently-as-gas-powered-cars-do/

Also, CATL makes most of Tesla's batteries, so they are subject to more QA than Tesla, though some are assembled in Nevada.

Bottom line, make fun of Tesla for the actual shitty things they do, don't perpetuate unfounded rumors

[–] princessnorah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Car bomb attacks are also exceedingly rare. I personally think the odds are an even split both ways.

Either way, it's truly despicable that the doors auto-locked during it, and I think Tesla needs to answer to an investigation on that one.

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 6 points 2 weeks ago

That really isn't the point. It could be 50/50 for this incident, but EVs (and as much as I hate saying something good about Tesla), even Teslas, don't have a track record of blowing up. Plus the gas and fireworks in the back say intention. Maybe earlier than intended, but carrying that much flammable cargo is a fire waiting to happen

[–] psud@aussie.zone 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Tesla doors lock when a key* has been disconnected for a short time while parked

* a key being a phone via Bluetooth, an RFID card, or a dongle. The card is disconnected if removed from the reader area (such as by a bomb going off). Phones are disconnected if too far away or if the phone or Bluetooth are turned off, dongles are disconnected if moved too far away or destroyed, for example by that bomb or the fire

The vehicle is most likely set to unlock in a collision, but in this case it was parked so it's normal for it to lock when the key is not detected, that's how "walk away lock" works

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[–] LukeZaz@beehaw.org 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

The Cybertruck is very much an actual shitty thing that Tesla does. Sure, maybe they don't literally "have a habit of exploding all on their own," but I don't think Gork was exactly trying to play off as an authority on the topic. Just mocking Cybertrucks being shit.

Nobody's attacking EVs writ large, here. Just Elon and his awful ideas.

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 5 points 2 weeks ago

Sure, I get that, but it still plays into the EV hate. I know they aren't the single solution, they are a part of a bigger strategy. Just hate to see bad information spread, even through jokes.

[–] psud@aussie.zone 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm orange pilled so I agree it's bad, but I can't see anything but aesthetics that makes it any worse than any other light truck commonly used as urban transport.

Sure Musk inspired it and set its target specifications and price, but it was Tesla engineers who designed it, Tesla factory workers who built it and Musk's companies don't seem to have suffered from his fall from popularity

[–] prex@aussie.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago

Absolute agreement here.
Just want to plug https://www.evfiresafe.com/ as experts on the matter

[–] FaceDeer@fedia.io 5 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

If I wasn't just so very, very tired, I would find amusement in how this story is going back and forth. "Haha, cybertruck exploded! Stupid Elon!" "Oh, it had a bomb, it was a deliberate explosion. And the cybertruck's structure stopped anyone outside it from getting hurt..." silence "Ah! It auto-locked, something about cybertruck we can criticize! Stupid Elon!"

And people complain about the "tribalism" in politics these days.

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 7 points 2 weeks ago

I think that it is a complex situation that people are trying to distill down into internet takes. It is frustrating, but understandable.

[–] ChairmanMeow@programming.dev 1 points 2 weeks ago

And the cybertruck's structure stopped anyone outside it from getting hurt...

The reason nobody outside was hurt was because there wasn't really anyone around to get hurt. The video shows a pretty sizeable explosion that would've likely killed someone standing close by.

I don't think the Cybertruck did any better than other cars in that respect. Not worse either btw.

[–] B0rax@feddit.org 10 points 2 weeks ago

Can I see a source to that? I have not heard about anything that would confirm what you are saying.

[–] psud@aussie.zone 1 points 2 weeks ago

A habit? The are 27 thousand of them, can you find ten that have spontaneously exploded?

[–] IndeterminateName@beehaw.org 19 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Wait, so after it exploded it was still working enough for Tesla to remotely open the doors and download the camera footage?

[–] Boomkop3@reddthat.com 26 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Why is it recording the passengers and why does tesla have remote access?

[–] IndeterminateName@beehaw.org 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

God only knows, I'm just impressed it still functioned after exploding.

[–] Boomkop3@reddthat.com 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

A very decent sardine can

[–] IndeterminateName@beehaw.org 5 points 2 weeks ago

We need more well built fridges

[–] t3rmit3@beehaw.org 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Teslas always are, not even joking. It's supposed to ensure the drivers are "attentive", but it is angled to record the entire interior/ "cabin".

https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/modely/en_us/GUID-682FF4A7-D083-4C95-925A-5EE3752F4865.html

[–] Boomkop3@reddthat.com 1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I hope taping over them does not turn off the car

[–] Celestus@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Obstructing the cabin camera will cause the car to periodically “nag” the driver to apply torque to the steering wheel while the automatic steering system is engaged, depending on the vehicle’s speed

[–] Boomkop3@reddthat.com 3 points 2 weeks ago

Ahh, ye fair enough. I think that's a better indicator of the driver being awake than a camera.

[–] limerod@reddthat.com 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

If I have learned anything about safety features. They probably do.

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[–] psud@aussie.zone 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Every car brand does this. Tesla is pretty close to unique in allowing owners to opt out, but nearly no one does

Tesla uses attentiveness data as part of their safety assessment of drivers for setting premiums for Tesla insurance as well as to ensure the driver is watching the road while the car is driving itself

[–] Boomkop3@reddthat.com 2 points 2 weeks ago

Perhaps so. I've only driven old second hand cars that have no smart features, and lesson cars that had the cameras removed. That's unfortunate to hear

[–] Celestus@lemm.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago

The computers and telemetry systems aren’t near the part that exploded. Assuming they failed at all, they (and the vehicle itself) probably would’ve remained functional for a while after the blast

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 8 points 2 weeks ago

2025 didn't exactly open as the most vehicle-friendly year.

[–] psud@aussie.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

The car would lock shortly after it's key RFID card was removed from it's reader or phone key went out of range or offline

They can always be opened from inside either electronically or manually

I'm pretty sure the vehicle's warranty was voided when the driver detonated a bomb in the cargo area and shot himself, and they're not telling us whether it was the blast disturbing the key card or the fire deactivating the phone key, anyway it's interesting the vehicle could be remote unlocked after that blast and fire

[–] Celestus@lemm.ee 4 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Serious answer: The front doors have easily accessible manual releases. Unless there is damage to the door frame/mechanism, it is trivial to get out of a Tesla with no power. These work even if the door is locked, since the lock is implemented in software

[–] Wolf314159@startrek.website 10 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Too bad those "easily accessible manual releases" aren't the actual door handle and are hidden so well you'd never find them if you were unfamiliar with the vehicle.

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[–] oyo@lemm.ee 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

What if you're on fire?

[–] Celestus@lemm.ee 1 points 2 weeks ago

There’s nothing special about the Tesla door in that regard, so it is possible for it to become mechanically warped/obstructed in an accident or fire just like any other car door

[–] Umbrias@beehaw.org 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

the lock is implemented in software

things that are such absurd design failures it's hard to say with a straight face

[–] Celestus@lemm.ee 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I don’t see that as a design failure. I actually really like them. Electronic door controls both inside and out, plus a mechanical backup only inside. It’s not a perfect design, but neither are mechanical door controls. It’s also not unique to Tesla: many other cars have electronic door actuators with software locks

[–] Umbrias@beehaw.org 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

other modern cars doing bad design is a known problem yes. im just hearing described differences but no benefits personally.

[–] Celestus@lemm.ee 1 points 1 week ago

I’m not an automotive engineer, so I don’t have a great understanding of the benefits as perceived by auto manufacturers. Still, here are some benefits as I see it:

  • Cheaper (fewer parts)
  • More reliable (fewer moving parts, cables strained less frequently, fewer broken door handles)
  • Recessed door handles are more aerodynamic (not necessarily an advantage of electronics)
  • Remote door release (helps with frozen handles in the cold)
  • Cool factor (helps sell cars)
  • Flexible design (allows designers to do creative things with door handles/controls)
[–] psud@aussie.zone 1 points 2 weeks ago

It's promising that a cybertruck can go through that and still be remote unlocked

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