Tesla has been granted a new patent for a miniaturised camera cleaning system with an integrated wiper, designed to keep the vehicle’s cameras clean for autonomous driving.
The patent addresses one of the most frustrating and well-known issues with Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” system – dirty cameras that interfere with the driver-assistance system’s operation. Many FSD users report that even light dirt or raindrops on the cameras lead to error messages or the system being deactivated.
Patent details:
The patent describes a device attached to the camera comprising a small wiper and a nozzle for cleaning fluid. The wiper is driven by a motor and can be activated either at the touch of a button or automatically by sensors that detect dirt. This is intended to improve the reliability of FSD, particularly in bad weather or on dusty roads.
Reactions and implications:
Whilst many Tesla owners welcome the innovation, critics see it as an admission of the weakness of the current camera-based approach. Other manufacturers, such as Waymo and Mercedes, also rely on lidar and radar sensors, which are less susceptible to dirt. The fact that Tesla is now patenting a camera wiper system highlights the challenges of relying solely on camera vision for fully autonomous driving.
A look at Europe:
The rollout of FSD in Europe is progressing slowly. So far, Tesla has only received approval in a few countries, and even then under strict conditions. A camera wiper could help improve reliability, but regulatory authorities often require additional safety evidence. Read more on this: Is Tesla’s Full Self-Driving not good enough for Europe? and Tesla expects EU approval for Full Self-Driving soon.
Conclusion:
The new patent shows that Tesla is taking the issues with its cameras seriously and is working on solutions. However, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to dispel the doubts of FSD owners and regulatory authorities. Until the technology goes into production, FSD users will likely have to continue cleaning the cameras manually.