Summary
- Tesla is considering making self-driving vehicles with seats that can rotate to face backward
- The advent of self-driving vehicles will lead to new possibilities in vehicle design
- Regulators are evaluating how to regulate safety in self-driving vehicles with non-traditional seating arrangements
- Tesla believes that specific regulations regarding seating position for self-driving vehicles may negatively impact safety and comfort
- Tesla’s mention of rotating lie-flat seats in upcoming products like the Tesla Robotaxi suggests that they may be planning innovative interior designs.
Article
Tesla is hinting at making its self-driving vehicles with seats that can rotate to face backward, opening up new possibilities in vehicle design. Currently, self-driving vehicles are mostly built on existing vehicles designed around human drivers with steering columns and pedals. However, in a future where human backup drivers are no longer required, there will be opportunities to evolve interior car design. Regulators are now evaluating how to regulate this for safety, with Australian regulators requesting insights from the industry. Tesla responded to regulatory inquiries about whether vehicles with high levels of driving automation but still with manual driving controls should have specific requirements about seating positions when autonomous driving systems are engaged. Tesla suggested that such requirements could negatively impact for-purpose designs in terms of safety or comfort, offering examples of how fully reclined seats and seatbelt requirements might be applicable when the human driver is not in control of the vehicle.
Tesla also mentioned the possibility of vehicle designs with seats that rotate, provided appropriate safety measures are implemented. This suggests that vehicle designs with fully reclining or rotating seats, or even designs without forward-facing seats, are imaginable. Tesla also hinted at the potential for vehicle designs with only a center seating position, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles such as the already unveiled Tesla Semi. While Tesla’s responses to regulators should be taken with caution, as the company may be looking to limit regulations to ensure it does not impede on its future plans, these hints could provide insight into Tesla’s upcoming products. For example, the mention of a center seating position for heavy-duty vehicles aligns with the interior of the Tesla Semi, and the idea of rotating lie-flat seats could be a feature of the upcoming Tesla Robotaxi set to be unveiled on October 10.
Overall, the move towards self-driving vehicles is expected to revolutionize vehicle design, with possibilities for more advanced and innovative interiors. Regulatory bodies are currently evaluating how to ensure the safety of self-driving vehicles and their interior designs, with Tesla providing insights on the topic. Tesla’s hints at rotating seats and unconventional seating arrangements suggest that future vehicles may have more flexible and customizable interior layouts. While these responses to regulators may be part of Tesla’s strategy to avoid overly restrictive regulations, they also provide a glimpse into the company’s vision for its future products. As self-driving technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more innovative features and designs in autonomous vehicles.
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