Tesla introduced its Self-driving Robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals on October 10, 2024, and it has been the talk of the town ever since. The company has now revealed more details about its wireless charging capabilities and people can’t wait.
Tesla’s video release also showed how Robotaxi backs up to a wireless charging pad on the ground so that after charging the car, it just has to move forward. There is also a screen on the inside of the car which takes up power up to 25kW.
The initial hints on the concept of wireless charging were dropped last year at an investor’s event and these rumors were confirmed when Tesla bought a German company, Wiferion specializing in wireless EV charging. This setup will help Robotaxi get quick top-ups between trips.
Wiferion technology boasts about 93% efficiency and Tesla confirmed this with above 90% charging. This company currently sells wireless charging pads for industrial applications. Tesla, who bought this, has made improvisations and now claims an approximate 99.33% efficiency depending on the distance between the wall connector and the service box.
Some features of this wireless charger are as follows:
- This charger can be installed at numerous locations in the production and logistics environment.
- Separate charging zones with battery charging stations are not necessary.
- This system can generate all standard charging currents in less than a second.
- The system can also be implemented quickly and its customizations are also possible at any time.
- Even short stops for the vehicle are enough for charging.
- The wireless charging process starts fully automatically at high currents in less than a second.
- The charging system also has IP68 water-resistance certification so it can be used outdoors.
- The charging points can be accessed in any direction.
The Robotaxi will use one of several 4680 battery cell types that Tesla is developing for its most popular electric vehicles like Model Y, or the Cybertruckn.
A mass production of 4680 cells is expected by 2026, and this is when Tesla is also expected to launch Robotaxi.
25kW wireless charging is fairly reasonable considering Tesla models usually charge 11 kW on a three-phase supply when other passenger EVs only feature a 7kW onboard charger.
Comments on social media platforms say how the wheels of this car are rims so they won’t be able to drive anywhere else other than block to block. Many replied saying that this is a tactic so that Tesla could release its own tires. Others defended Musk by saying that the video released might just be a prototype and the actual model will have tires on it.
Several YouTubers interviewed Elon Musk along with the actual car wherein Musk mentioned that this model is even bullet-proof and it has premium quality tires and not just rims. Robotaxi could go up to 100 miles per hour and it could even survive an apocalypse, says Musk.
The front bumper of the car is made with aero-efficiency and this is designed with more leg room and space with sleek space for the mechanical part so that there is tons of space inside.
Elon Musk, added in another interview that there are already more than a million deposits for this vehicle, each deposit of $100. There are also no Tesla Signs or boards on this vehicle giving it “Its own character”. There are no mirrors in the car so far so that’s a design that he would like to build.
Although it looks like a pickup truck that is bulletproof, it is far smaller in comparison. The trunk is made of extruded aluminum and it has a big space enough to fit a bed in it. Musk says that this space could also be used to set a tent and sleep on it. The car doors are push-button and it opens up to 90 degrees.