Tesla Exec Hints at Laser Solution for Robotaxi Camera Visibility
VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy suggests using focused lasers to clear water from specific camera lenses instead of entire windshields.
Tesla is exploring the use of pulsed lasers to maintain clear views for its robotaxi camera systems, potentially replacing traditional wiper blades in autonomous vehicles. The concept was discussed by Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy during a recent appearance on Jay Leno’s Garage.
What Happened
During an episode released Monday, Moravy and design chief Franz von Holzhausen toured the Model Y L with host Jay Leno. While discussing autonomy challenges, Moravy floated the idea of using lasers to clean camera lenses. He explained that firing lasers in a focused area could clear water and create a barrier, noting that clearing an entire windshield would require too many lasers to be practical. The company has a history with this technology, having filed a patent for "Pulsed Laser Cleaning of Debris Accumulated on Glass Articles in Vehicles and Photovoltaic Assemblies" in May 2019, which was granted in September 2021 with an updated divisional version granted in March 2026.
Why It Matters
The shift from human-driven cars to unsupervised robotaxis removes the driver’s ability to manually check and clean sensors. While privately owned vehicles allow drivers to address smeared windshields, Cybercabs operate without onboard human intervention. Tesla has previously experimented with conventional hardware, such as washers on side repeater cameras in Austin Model Y Robotaxis and a fluid and wiper assembly patent for vehicle cameras and Optimus. A laser system could eliminate the need for fluid reservoirs and blades, both of which require regular maintenance across a growing fleet. This is particularly relevant as Tesla expands its unsupervised Robotaxi service, which launched in San Antonio on Monday, bringing the total to eight cities, and expanded its Austin service area to approximately 443 square miles. Several of these markets, including Houston, Miami, and Tampa, experience heavy seasonal rain that impacts sensor visibility.
The Bottom Line
Moravy described the laser setup as a concept Tesla is considering rather than a confirmed feature, and provided no timeline for implementation. The discussion coincided with Leno’s first ride in Full Self-Driving (Supervised) mode in a Model Y L, which Tesla launched in the U.S. in July at $61,990. The company maintains that owners are responsible during FSD (Supervised) use, while Tesla assumes responsibility for Robotaxi rides as the operator.
