Tesla Releases POV Video of Roadster Performing Airborne Stunts
New footage shows the disorienting cockpit view during the vehicle's kickflip and half-pipe dives.
Tesla has released a new video featuring a first-person perspective of its next-generation Roadster executing complex aerial maneuvers, including a kickflip and a nosedive off a half-pipe. The footage highlights the disorienting experience a driver might face, contrasting with the car's traditional ground-travel capabilities.
What Happened
The newly released clip places the camera inside the cockpit, offering a view of the Roadster performing stunts previously seen during its unveiling last month. The video captures the vehicle jumping and spinning over a Tesla Semi and diving off a half-pipe. During the kickflip maneuver, cold gas thrusters are visible adjusting the release of nitrogen to prevent the car from over-rotating into an uncontrolled corkscrew. The demonstrations were conducted without a human driver; a dummy was placed in the front seat to simulate the passenger perspective.
Why It Matters
The video underscores the extreme engineering efforts Tesla has undertaken for the Roadster's potential flying capabilities, which rely on 600-liter ultra-high-pressure composite-overwrapped pressure vessels filled with 10,000 PSI of nitrogen. However, the source notes that these stunts could be physically demanding for occupants, potentially causing dizziness or sickness. Tesla has not published the specific g-forces generated by the kickflip, nor has it confirmed if the flying version of the car will be road-legal or available for consumer purchase. The footage serves as a demonstration of technical capability rather than a confirmation of production-ready autonomy for the average driver.
The Bottom Line
Tesla's POV video demonstrates the complex stabilization required for the Roadster's airborne maneuvers, highlighting potential physical discomfort for passengers. While the engineering behind the thrusters and pressure vessels is significant, the company has not guaranteed that these flying features will reach production or comply with road regulations.
