Tesla Shows How It Builds Ventilators Using Model 3 Parts Its New York factory will soon reopen to build ventilators, Elon Musk said.

By Steve Dent

This story originally appeared on Engadget

Tesla via engadget

Tesla's EV plants are shuttered due to the coronavirus, but like other automakers, it's retooling its operations to build ventilators. Now, the company has released a YouTube video showing a prototype built with EV parts including the Model 3's display and infotainment system, as spotted by TechCrunch.

Hospital-grade oxygen goes into Tesla's mixing chamber (a car part used in Tesla's vehicles). It's subsequently pumped through Tesla's custom designed manifold, which is powered by vehicle computers and controlled by the infotainment system. All the patient parameters are then displayed on the Model 3's main display.

Tesla, along with Ford and GM, have promised to donate or build ventilators, and CEO Elon Musk said recently that the New York factory could reopen soon to produce ventilators. The company recently donated 1,000 ventilators, though critics said that the non-invasive models were the wrong kind. That's because critical COVID-19 patients need invasive ventilators that can inflate a patient's lungs with air via intubation.

However, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said that the so-called BiPAP non-invasive ventilators could be converted into the right type to help offset the "burn rate" of critical invasive ventilators. Elon Musk subsequently tweeted that "all hospitals were given exact specifications of [the donated models] & all confirmed they would be critical." He added that Tesla has now started delivering critical intratracheal ventilators from Medtronic for "worst case situations."

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

What the FTC's 'Click-to-Cancel' Rule Means for Merchants

Subscriptions are easy to start but often difficult to cancel, leading frustrated consumers to seek chargebacks due to confusing cancellation policies. The FTC's new "click-to-cancel" rule mandates that cancellation must be as straightforward as sign-up, potentially reducing chargebacks and improving customer satisfaction.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Zillow Predicts These 10 Places Will Have the Hottest Housing Markets in 2025

Zillow predicted that the hottest housing market of 2025 will be Buffalo, New York. Here's why.

Business Solutions

Say Hello to the PDF Multi-Tool You Didn't Know You Needed

Get lifetime access to UPDF for just $47.99—the best price online right now.

Business Culture

It's Time to Rewrite Your Company's Values — Here's How

Most companies' values are forgotten or disconnected from daily operations. By rethinking and co-creating values with your team, you can transform them into actionable tools that align behavior, build trust and drive performance.

Science & Technology

5 AI Books Top Entrepreneurs Are Reading in a Rush for 2025

Entrepreneurs must embrace AI or risk falling behind. Discover 2025's top 5 AI books to gain a competitive edge, featuring insights from "The Wolf is at the Door" and a free AI Success Kit.