Tesla Submits New Wireless Charging Patents for Robotaxi

Tesla has recently submitted four new patents focused on wireless charging, advancing its autonomous vehicle technology. Back in June 2023, Tesla gained valuable expertise by acquiring the engineering team from Wiferion. Although the company itself was sold off shortly after, Tesla retained the engineering staff through an acqui-hire, a strategy that focuses on talent acquisition rather than company assets or products.

Since the acquisition, Tesla has showcased a wireless charging mat several times, even confirming its development of wireless inductive home charging. Initially, it was believed that this technology would debut with the Cybertruck, but now we anticipate further details to be revealed during the upcoming Robotaxi event scheduled for October at Warner Bros. Studio in Hollywood.

Breakdown of Tesla's Wireless Charging Patents

First Patent

The first patent revolves around temperature sensors integrated into the wireless charging system. Tesla aims to monitor heat levels in both the charging pad and the vehicle's inductive coils to enhance safety and efficiency. The third patent further explains how this technology will be utilized.

Second Patent

This patent introduces a shorting switch that minimizes energy leakage to nearby ground sources during wireless charging. By creating a more direct and efficient energy transfer, this switch ensures faster charging while reducing waste.

Third Patent

The third patent details the design and production process for the wireless charging circuit. It explains how Tesla plans to arrange the inductive charging coils within the mat and connect the system to a wall-mounted power source. This document covers the core structure of the inductive charging mat.

Fourth Patent

The final patent focuses on an adaptive system that adjusts to changes in vehicle positioning during wireless charging. Using temperature data from the first patent, Tesla intends to dynamically modify coil induction based on the vehicle’s location, improving energy transfer precision and reducing overheating. This system will also optimize charging speed and provide crucial data for fleet management.

Inductive Charging for Cybertruck and Robotaxi

Although the Cybertruck was not initially equipped with inductive charging, Tesla has included two Inductive Charging Headers in its Service Manual, suggesting that future upgrades are possible. Tesla is likely to offer inductive charging as an optional add-on, potentially bundled with an Inductive Charging Mat.

The Robotaxi, however, is expected to be the first Tesla vehicle to fully utilize wireless charging. Given the autonomous nature of the vehicle, plugging in a physical charger is impractical. While wireless charging is generally less efficient, the slight reduction in charging speed is a worthwhile tradeoff for the convenience of fully automated operation.

With inductive charging pads integrated into parking spots, the Robotaxi will be able to recharge autonomously, without human intervention. Tesla’s system could also manage charging schedules to minimize energy costs, further optimizing the process.

We look forward to learning more about Tesla's plans for wireless charging at the upcoming Robotaxi event.