Leading electric automaker Tesla has just applied for a patent on an automated sanitization system for its new robotaxi autonomous driving electric cars.
Tesla robotaxis patent hints at automatic sanitation system
Tesla recently applied for a new patent that would automate the sanitization of its robotaxi, potentially part of its preparation for Chief Executive Elon Musk’s planned ride-hailing service using autonomous driving cars.
Tesla named the patent “Controlling environmental conditions in enclosed spaces.” This technology seeks to address the challenge of maintaining cleanliness in robotaxis since there would not be a human driver to monitor them between passengers.
Patent details
Tesla explained in the patent that the technology utilizes a variety of sensors, including an “image sensor, an acoustic sensor, a thermal sensor, a pressure sensor, a capacitive sensor, a radio frequency sensor, or a gas sensor” to monitor the environment inside the robotaxi.
Tesla also plans to employ UV lights and a heating system for the actual sanitization of the cabin. The patent implies that the company could use technologies inside the car to sanitize automatically.
However, it also suggests the potential for robotaxis to autonomously drive into a dedicated sanitization area with robots. The car system would switch to some sort of “sanitization mode” that could involve moving the seats, opening the windows, etc.
Tesla outlined the problem it seeks to solve in the patent’s background:
“Shared spaces present advantages in cost, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. For example, an automobile providing transportation throughout the day for multiple persons provides lower transportation costs and environmental footprint than an automobile used by only one person for personal commute. However, shared spaces have a disadvantage of facilitating indirect transmission of communicable diseases through contaminated air or surfaces. Current means for sanitizing shared spaces, for example manually wiping touch surfaces using disinfectant wipes, can be time-consuming, laborious and lead to unsatisfactory sanitation conditions. Additionally, such manually implemented activities may not be easily verifiable.”
Tesla
Gearing up for launch
This new patent will undoubtedly play a crucial role in Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi ride-hailing service. Apart from the car itself, the technology will also benefit both the owners and operators.
It would increase the value of Tesla robotaxis and further improve user experience. Tesla previously announced plans to debut its robotaxi, dubbed “Cybercab,” on August 8, 2024.
Here is the full patent document:
