Passengers perform the same motion, while the system automatically switches between electronic and mechanical door release.
A new interior door handle design spotted on the Tesla Cybercab could make exiting a vehicle simpler and safer—especially in emergencies. The handle combines electronic and mechanical opening mechanisms in a single control, allowing passengers to perform the same motion regardless of the situation.
Instead of searching for a hidden backup release, the passenger simply moves the handle. The system automatically determines whether the electronic or mechanical mechanism should activate. Because of this intuitive operation, many observers believe the approach may be safer than traditional designs.
Engineers at Tesla appear to have adopted a concept similar to door mechanisms previously used by Audi and Lexus. In the new Tesla design, two different opening systems are integrated into one component, eliminating the need for passengers to remember where the emergency cable is hidden.
The update comes after serious criticism following several fatal crashes involving Tesla vehicles. In some cases, lawsuits claimed that doors were difficult to unlock after collisions. Those incidents intensified scrutiny of Tesla’s door-release systems.
The redesigned handle has not yet appeared on production vehicles. Instead, it was recently spotted inside the Cybercab prototype currently under development. The robotaxi program is still evolving, and Tesla frequently updates its test vehicles as engineering work continues.
Two YouTubers were recently given access to the Cybercab prototype and documented several details—including the new door handle and other modifications.
Current Tesla models such as the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, and Tesla Cybertruck use separate electronic buttons and mechanical backup releases inside the cabin. In many cases, the rear mechanical releases are hidden inside the door pockets beneath a plastic panel, which can make them difficult to locate quickly—especially for someone unfamiliar with the car.
The new Cybercab handle works differently. A light upward lift activates the electronic door release, while pulling harder engages the mechanical emergency release.
Another notable addition is Braille markings next to the control. This feature is particularly important for the Cybercab concept, where passengers may ride without a driver or onboard assistant.
Observers believe similar hardware could eventually appear in other Tesla models.
The prototype also revealed several additional changes. A rear charging port has been added, despite earlier presentations suggesting the vehicle might rely on wireless charging instead.
Perhaps the most surprising discovery, however, was the presence of a steering wheel inside the prototype—an unusual sight for a vehicle designed to operate as a fully autonomous robotaxi.