Tesla’s prime crash security architect, who helped the automaker obtain prime security scores for its whole automotive line-up, introduced that he’s leaving the automaker after 14 years.
We’re speaking about Petter Winberg, Tesla’s Principal Engineer for CAE crashing security for the final decade.
After an in depth profession at Volvo and SAAB, each automotive manufacturers praised for his or her dedication to security, Winberg joined Tesla in 2011 to work on the “crash security improvement of Mannequin S construction and facet occupant restraints.”
On the time, Tesla was nonetheless engaged on the Mannequin S, its first automobile constructed completely from the bottom up, contemplating the unique Roadster was based mostly on the Lotus Elise.
CEO Elon Musk aimed for “Tesla automobiles to be the most secure on the planet,” and Winberg took the problem critically.
He led the event of the automobile physique and chassis construction for Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y, in addition to the crash construction for Mannequin S and Mannequin X.
All of those automobiles have obtained prime security crash scores from unbiased testers worldwide – rapidly elevating Tesla’s model into a pacesetter in passive security.
Winberg and his staff deserve a whole lot of the credit score for this.
The engineer additionally led the design of crash readiness and the energy-absorbing capability of Tesla’s newest “gigacasting” and structural battery pack designs, for which he obtained patents. Different automakers have since adopted comparable designs.
For these much less technical who wish to perceive how good and revered Winberg is at Tesla, he has been working for Tesla remotely in Sweden for the final 5 years. That’s spectacular in itself, contemplating how a lot Musk hates distant work. He beforehand emailed Tesla administration to inform them that solely distinctive workers can be eligible for an exemption to work remotely, which he would approve himself.
After 14 years at Tesla, Winberg introduced final week that he’s leaving (through LinkedIn):
Having developed Mannequin S, S-DM, X, 3, Y, Y-SP in addition to future crash architectures, I’ve determined now’s the time to maneuver on. Thanks Tesla, maintain crushing it! What an unimaginable staff, I’ll miss you all.
He didn’t elaborate on his causes for leaving the automaker or announce one other enterprise.
Electrek’s Take
Whereas Tesla has obtained a lot criticism for the hazards of its Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” programs, I don’t assume anybody can query that Tesla automobiles carry out extraordinarily properly when it comes to passive security.
Unbiased testing has confirmed it time and time once more.
Tesla has led the way in which in benefiting from designing electrical automobiles from the bottom up. Its skateboard-like powertrain design and lack of engine within the entrance permit for a large crumple zone to soak up the power in case of a crash.
An enormous thanks to Petter Winberg for his designs and management in enhancing Tesla’s passive security. He has undoubtedly made the automotive business safer and saved lives. Congratulations.
As for his departure, it’s definitely a blow for Tesla. As we beforehand reported, the corporate has suffered a major exodus of expertise over the past yr, with an enormous a part of its management leaving throughout and after a wave of layoffs final yr.
Many predict that Tesla may once more provoke one other wave of layoffs within the coming months as its gross sales are crumbling worldwide.
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