Tesla Patent Shows Clear Robotaxi Solutions

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Not that anybody wants it, however we’ve acquired extra proof that Tesla is considering critically about robotaxi service and making an attempt to organize its desk for that. Tesla has been awarded a patent for automated cleansing — nicely, sanitizing — of enclosed areas (i.e., automobile interiors) shared by a number of individuals (i.e., passengers in taxis or robotaxis).

Right here’s the precise abstract language from the patent: “The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for sanitizing an enclosed space that can be shared among multiple persons. In some embodiments, a sanitation system detects a current environmental condition associated with the enclosed space to generate sensor data. The sanitation system then obtains or generates a sanitation routine based at least in part on the sensor data. Based on the sanitation routine, the sanitation system causes a component associated with the enclosed space to adjust the current environmental condition toward a target environmental condition, where the sanitation routine specifies the component and the target environmental condition.”

There’s an in depth physique of textual content within the patent that would make your eyes bleed, however an impartial patent researcher, “SETI Park,” properly summarizes the important thing options.

Key options embody:
▫️ Environmental detection by means of numerous sensors: detecting temperature, humidity, presence of pathogens, and so forth.
▫️ Custom-made sanitation routines: producing applicable sanitation routines based mostly on detected environmental situations.
▫️ Varied sanitation strategies: using HVAC methods, UV lighting, steam turbines, and so forth.
▫️ Automated processes: routinely executing sanitation processes when individuals are absent.
▫️ Adaptive system: adjusting sanitation strategies contemplating exterior climate, automobile utilization historical past, and so forth.

Should you assume we’re studying an excessive amount of into it being for robotaxis, don’t fear, there’s proof of that too.

The patent additionally discloses a automobile sharing cycle using this technique (Determine 11):
1️⃣ Car proprietor’s use
2️⃣ Environmental detection and sanitation after parking
3️⃣ Different passenger’s automobile use
4️⃣ Re-sanitation after passenger disembarkation
5️⃣ Shifting to a sanitation spot for extra thorough sanitation if obligatory

Does this imply Tesla is sort of able to roll out robotaxis? No, in fact not, nevertheless it does point out that Tesla is considering and dealing on extra than simply the self-driving software program and {hardware}. However it’s actually all concerning the self-driving software program and {hardware}. Till that’s prepared, all of the self-sanitizing patents on this planet aren’t going to carry us robotaxis. Keep tuned. Within the meantime, maybe be completely satisfied that Tesla is considering extra concerning the human and operational course of contained in the robotaxi’s passenger compartment. What I’d prefer to see subsequent are some good reclining seats with pillows that can show you how to to have an excellent snooze in your journey to work, the health club, sporting occasions, dinner, residence, or no matter.