If there’s one thing that we’ve realized because of Coronavirus it is that we need to invest more in healthcare. The shortage of ventilators is signaling towards how we’ve been complacent in the matters of life and death. The pandemic came out of nowhere and we weren’t prepared at all. 

Source: Forbes 

A couple of months and thousands of deaths later, Tesla has taken the initiative to develop more ventilators. The company posted a new video on its YouTube channel to showcase two different versions of the ventilator they’re engineering. First is the prototype model and has all of its components laid out on a table, and the second is a fully prepared model that shows how it would appear in the hospital while being used.

All of this started last month after the New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio reached out to the CEO of the company. Elon Musk promised to build as many ventilators as needed.

Although Tesla was criticized for attempting to invent their own ventilator instead of optimizing from the existing models, their argument isn’t unreasonable if you think about it.

“We wanna use parts that we know really well, we know the reliability of… and they’re available in volume.”

The design Tesla is using includes multiple components from its cars. For example, Tesla is using Model 3’s infotainment screen, its computer, and also the Model S’s suspension system. Apparently, they’re supposed to speed up the development and production of the manufacturing process.

Source: Al Jazeera

If you think Tesla is the only multi-million-dollar company backing up the production of more ventilators, then you’re about to hear some more great news!

The Guardian has reported that several British firms have been gathering funds and developing their own ventilators. For example, Dyson is a high profile manufacturer whom the British government has asked to produce 10,000 ventilators. His design still needs approval from the government, but it’s safe to admit that we’re moving in the right direction.

Ford and General Motors have also announced similar news in the US. Ford is collaborating with GE’s health care division to produce a rather simplified version of its ventilators. GM, on the other hand, is working with Ventec Life System to elevate its system production.

Apart from manufacturing ventilators, Elon Musk is also purchasing FDA-approved ventilators and is shipping them to organizations that need them.

Elon Musk was initially criticized for downplaying the severity of the pandemic and spreading wrong information regarding the novel Coronavirus. In fact, who can forget that he even tried to keep the California factory open?

Nicely played, Musk!