► Second prototype revealed
► Uses Model 3 infotainment system and touchscreen
► Still lots of work to do
Much like several other car makers, Tesla has begun to develop ventilators to help combat the novel Coronavirus, and it’s published an engineering update on YouTube.
In a similiar way to ventilators designed by other car makers, Tesla’s initial prototypes will rely on car parts as much as possible, not scarce, traditional components. In the picture below, everything red is derived from the brand’s own car parts.
As shown in the video, the first prototype uses a range of car parts and takes up a whole workbench. The second prototype, however, is significantly more refined, and the size of a large microwave oven.
How car makers plan to build ventilators to beat coronavirus
And in addition to the being more compact, it also borrows a good deal of parts from the Tesla Model 3. In addition to the large touchscreen you’d usually find in the EV’s interior, the Model 3’s infotainment circuitry and vehicle controllers also act as the brain of the ventilator.
While there’s still a lot to do before these prototypes end up near a hospital, it’s still encouraging to see another car brand helping to fight Covid-19. Watch the video above for a more detailed look.