Tesla's laser windshield wiper patent is authorized. Can you use laser to "wash your car"?

Many people buy Tesla products because of their uniqueness. Tesla electric cars are indeed different. In the future, they may even use lasers instead of windshield wipers.

Tesla gets patent for laser windshield wipers

On September 9, Tesla's patent for laser windshield wipers has been granted by the U.S. Patent Office, which means that Tesla has officially obtained the exclusive rights to this invention. In the future, Tesla's electric cars may no longer be equipped with wipers.

It is understood that Tesla's patent is titled "Pulsed laser cleaning of debris accumulated on glass products in vehicles and photovoltaic modules". It was applied for in May 2019 and was only recently approved.

Tesla Roadster

In the application document, Tesla describes the patent as follows: "A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optical component that emits a laser beam to irradiate a glass product of the vehicle, a detection circuit that detects debris accumulated in the area, and a control circuit. The control circuit calibrates the parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optical component based on the detection of debris accumulated on the glass product, thereby controlling the irradiation level of the laser beam on the accumulated debris. The irradiation level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate, and the penetration of the laser beam is limited to a depth less than the thickness of the glass product, thereby removing the debris."

In addition to laser wipers, Tesla has many crazy ideas. Musk once said that he hopes the Roadster can use SpaceX cold gas thrusters to hover. If this can be achieved, the Roadster will almost become a flying car.