Explosion in Las Vegas: Tesla opens Cybertruck remotely and collects videos

Following the explosion of a Cybertruck in Las Vegas, the sheriff there has thanked Tesla CEO Elon Musk for providing video footage of the vehicle at charging stations and opening the SUV remotely. This is reported by NBC News. The process once again highlights the extensive control the electric car company retains over vehicles sold. It is unclear whether Elon Musk personally obtained the videos and opened the vehicle or instructed his employees to do so. In addition, the US billionaire has allegedly already viewed telemetry data from the burnt-out vehicle.

Cause of the explosion unclear

The person at the wheel of the vehicle was killed in the explosion outside the Trump International Hotel of the next US president supported by Musk in Las Vegas. The security authorities are investigating a possible terrorist motive. The electric car had parked in front of the hotel's glass doors on Wednesday morning local time, shortly after which smoke developed and a powerful detonation occurred. The exact cause is still unclear, but the electric car, which was difficult to extinguish, subsequently burned out completely. The hotel was evacuated after the incident.

The fact that Tesla, the vehicle manufacturer of the exploded Cybertruck, was able to help so extensively with the investigation clearly shows the extent of the manufacturer's control over vehicles owned by its customers. Thanks to the company's video recordings, which show the Cybertruck on various loading routes, it was possible, according to US reports, to trace that it was rented in the US state of Colorado before it was driven to Las Vegas. Musk himself has also claimed to have already viewed telemetry data from the vehicle. He claimed that they contained no evidence of a technical defect.

Musk gets involved in the investigation

In view of the Cybertruck's prominent role in the matter, Elon Musk has also become personally involved in the investigation. "We now have confirmation that the explosion was caused by a very large firework and/or bomb that was in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and had nothing to do with the vehicle itself," he claimed in a post on his short message platform X. In doing so, he wanted to counter the impression that it was an accident. He even mentioned a possible connection to the terrorist attack in New Orleans, but did not provide any evidence of this.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Kevin McMahill expressly thanked Musk for his cooperation in the investigation. According to the police, the car arrived in Las Vegas a good hour before the explosion and drove up and down in front of the hotel for a while. This is evident from surveillance camera footage and the automated recording of license plate numbers. Modern technology proved to be very helpful in the investigation, the sheriff assured. Footage from a surveillance camera of the explosion and a later drone flight over the loading area of the Cybertruck showed the charred remains of several petrol cans and fireworks.

(mho)