Tesla VP Discusses Potential Laser Windshield Cleaning for Cybercab
Tesla VP Lars Moravy suggests focusing lasers on the camera area rather than the entire windshield for autonomous applications.
Tesla’s Vision Engineering VP Lars Moravy has discussed the potential application of laser-based windshield cleaning technology, specifically highlighting its suitability for the company’s upcoming Cybercab. The concept, originally patented by Tesla, involves using focused lasers to clear debris from the specific area in front of the vehicle’s cameras rather than the entire glass surface.
What Happened
In a recent interview on Jay Leno’s Garage, Moravy addressed a Tesla patent that describes using lasers to clean windshields. He noted that while using lasers to clean an entire windshield would require an impractical number of emitters, focusing them solely on the camera’s field of view could be a viable solution for autonomous driving systems. The updated patent, granted on March 31 of this year, details a system that detects debris, identifies its type, and adjusts laser pulses accordingly. To ensure safety, the system limits beam penetration to less than the thickness of the glass.
Why It Matters
This technology aligns with Tesla’s design philosophy of "the best part is no part," aiming to eliminate moving components like traditional wipers. For consumer vehicles, Tesla has opted for mechanical solutions, such as the large wiper on the Cybertruck, and owners have reported issues with automatic wipers on dry glass or light rain. However, the laser concept is primarily targeted at robotaxis like the Cybercab, where there is no human driver to maintain the vehicle or address wiper failures. A contactless system would reduce maintenance needs, which is critical for autonomous vehicles operating without direct human supervision, as Tesla currently recommends annual replacement of windshield wiper blades.
The Bottom Line
Tesla is exploring a laser-based method to keep camera lenses clear, potentially integrating it into the Cybercab to reduce mechanical complexity and maintenance. While the technology remains in the patent and discussion phase rather than confirmed production, it highlights Tesla’s continued effort to optimize autonomy hardware by removing traditional mechanical parts.
