Tesla Drives Forward for Robotaxis Plan, Patents Auto Sanitation System

Jul 01, 2024 10:24 PM EDT

INTERIOR OF TESLA CAR — (Photo : PEXELS/Vladimir Srajber)

Tesla applied for a patent on an auto sanitation system. The company plans to integrate this system into its Robotaxi self-driving electric cars. The Robotaxi may have heating plates and disinfecting UV lights when it becomes available on the road,

It is a bold move for Tesla, considering that the Robotaxi is not fully developed. There are still existing problems with this technology.

Auto Sanitation System for Robotaxi

Robotaxi will drive itself. Perhaps with the auto sanitation system, it will clean or at least spray by itself. Tesla targets speeding up the process of sanitation. The new patent on the auto sanitation system would at least make parts of the sanitation automatic.

The application for this patent came before Tesla perfected its Robotaxi project. Elon Musk committed to bring these taxis to the road on August 8.

According to a Popular Science report, recently disclosed on X by a specialized patent tracking entity, intricate blueprints have surfaced. Tesla's extensive submission to the World Intellectual Property Organization in February 2023, unveiled by a patent analyst on the platform, showcases a forward-thinking approach.

The strategic document highlights Tesla's vision to embed sophisticated systems focusing on regulating environmental factors within confined areas. These innovations are tailored for the upcoming lineup of self-driving electric robotaxis, underscoring Tesla's dedication to pushing boundaries in automotive technology.

How Does this Auto Sanitation System Work

The idea of a self-driving taxi is already an intricate development. Adding to the complexity is the auto sanitation system. Yes, it is logical to put a sanitation system because health and safety must be a priority in the transportation sector.

Electrek explained within the patent documentation, Tesla elaborates on its utilization of diverse sensors. These sensors encompass an array of functionalities.

Such ranges from image capture and sound detection to temperature monitoring, pressure sensing, capacitance measurement, radio wave analysis, and gas detection. The purpose behind this sensor fusion is to monitor the internal environment of the vehicle, meticulously.Regarding the sanitization procedure itself, Tesla explores the incorporation of UV light technology alongside a heating mechanism for sanitizing purposes.

Moreover, in the context of the automatic sanitation patent, Tesla could use a dual approach to sanitization. The proposal indicates that Tesla could leverage internal components within the vehicle for automated sanitization.

Additionally, there's a concept of the vehicle autonomously navigating to designated sanitization zones equipped with robotic systems. Once in "sanitization mode," the vehicle may undertake various actions such as adjusting seat positions or facilitating natural light entry by opening windows. This innovative method ensure thorough and efficient sanitization processes within the vehicle.

Patent: How Tesla Plans to Solve Problems

The patent on the automatic sanitation system is said to solve problems, as stated in Tesla's application. According to a report from Boing Boing, shared spaces offer cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions by maximizing resource utilization, which is particularly evident in shared transportation, such as communal vehicles, which reduce costs and environmental impact.

Nonetheless, the downside lies in the potential for disease transmission through contaminated surfaces or air within these shared environments. The existing sanitization methods, such as manual surface wiping with disinfectant wipes, often prove laborious and time-intensive and can fall short of ensuring thorough cleanliness.They also lack easy verifiability of sanitation effectiveness.