Tesla’s patented magnetic Wipers demonstrated in concept video

Joey Klender

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Posted on September 27, 2019

Tesla’s recently published patent for a new, magnetically focused wiper blade has held onto immense speculation since its first reports in early September. A notable Tesla YouTuber recently released a video of the newly improved design that is a tailored-fit for the upcoming next-gen Roadster.

The initial design was comprised of two arms, identical in design, connected to a single wiper blade that stretched the height of the windshield. The base of both arms were fixed, and they would move the wiper across the windshield in a single motion. However, there was a flaw in the design, as the wiper would not give full coverage to the windshield. The passenger side of the windshield, along with the rear-view mirror camera would be cleared of any moisture. The driver’s side, however, would only be partially cleared. The main field of vision would not be covered by this wiper, and would thus be a hazard to the driver.

Tesla’s electromagnetic wiper system. (Credit: US Patent Office)

Tesla owner and DIYer Brian Jenkins of the notable YouTube channel i1Tesla, illustrated Tesla’s design using cardboard cutouts that are relatively similar in dimensions to the wipers. The new system is comprised of a single wiper arm that is connected to two horizontal bars, running the width of the car’s windshield, located under the vehicle’s hood. The wiper arm would make its way across the windshield in a sliding motion with the help of magnets, similar to the way a printer scans across a piece of paper to apply ink. The magnets would repel the blade across the windshield, using a gear or actuator. This design would give the blade complete coverage in a sweeping motion.

The design is crucial to the performance of the Roadster. The new, updated wiper’s horizontal bars are located below the windshield, under the hood in order to prevent any wind resistance. This could prove crucial as Elon Musk plans to have the Roadster run at the Nürburgring next year to break the one-lap record. The traditional wiper system was obviously not in Musk’s plans. After all, the Roadster is far from the traditional vehicle.

Watch i1Tesla’s video of the new Tesla windshield wiper patent below:

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Tesla’s patented magnetic Wipers demonstrated in concept video

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Tesla releases Smart Summon with ability to target a specific location

Joey Klender

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Posted on September 26, 2019

The highly-anticipated release of Tesla’s Beta version of the “Smart Summon” feature is finally here. The company, however, added yet another great feature: a geographical location option.

Users will now be able to set a specific location on a map for their cars to pick them up. Originally, Summon was designed to pick up a person based on the location of their phone, but it seems Tesla has decided to take it a step further. This additional option makes it even more convenient for owners and adds to the value of Tesla’s Summon feature.

Credit: Twitter/tesla_truth

Release notes from the V10 update state that owners are still responsible for their vehicles and should monitor its use while using the “Smart Summon” feature, as it is still potentially hazardous to “quick-moving people, bicycles and cars.”

In order to be able to access the V10 update this morning, U.S. Tesla owners would have to have Full-Self Driving capabilities, as well as “advanced download” enabled in software settings.

The addition of “Smart Summon’s” geographical option will enable even more convenience. Users will select a target on a map and then tap and hold the “GO TO TARGET” button to use the feature. This could come in handy in many different scenarios. If the front of a grocery store is too crowded with pedestrians, users will be able to choose a less congested area with the geographical option. This feature could also decrease the likelihood of a vehicle being dinged or run into by someone else’s grocery cart.

“Smart Summon” will enable owners to gain access to their vehicles without walking to them. This could especially come in handy during grocery shopping, as navigating through busy parking lots and strolling heavy carts is becoming increasingly less-convenient. Owners would be able to literally summon their vehicles to their locations by using the “COME TO ME” button on the Tesla app.

Smart Summon is one of the most notable features of the Full-Self Driving capability of Tesla vehicles. This new addition will inhibit less hassle for owners who want to alleviate some of the stresses from normal daily tasks such as going to the grocery store. Not to mention, its a great feature to wow your non-Tesla owning friends with.

Tesla releases Smart Summon with ability to target a specific location

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Tesla to release mobile app update that allows window closing, venting features

Simon Alvarez

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Posted on September 26, 2019

Tesla has begun rolling out a new update for its mobile app that introduces a clever feature allowing owners to close and vent their vehicles’ windows through their smartphones. This simple yet immensely welcome function was initially reported by members of the Tesla community using iOS devices. 

An image depicting this new feature was shared by Tesla owner u/jwardell, who posted a screenshot of his mobile app’s home menu that includes the new feature. The close and vent buttons are situated at the top left corner of the Tesla mobile app, beside the button that allows owners to lock and unlock their electric car. 

Following his post, u/jwardell mentioned that his mobile app is running v3.10.0. That being said, the Tesla owner’s vehicle appears to be part of the Early Access Program, as evidenced by other owners remarking that they have the same app version but do not have access to the new feature.

A video of the new function in action was shared on Twitter by @coptertube, who provided a quick look at how the vehicle’s windows react to owners’ input from the app. Based on the brief footage of the app-based window function, it appears that pressing the window button once will drop all windows about 3 inches, and pressing it again closes all four. 

Interestingly, the avatar of the vehicle on the homepage of the mobile app does not seem to react to the window’s movements. This would likely be addressed by Tesla when the feature is released widely to the company’s fleet of vehicles, but for now, this minor flaw is fondly considered by Early Access Program members as a bonafide first world problem. 

While a feature allowing owners to close or vent their windows through their smartphone might be a minor function compared to Tesla’s other, more serious features such as Autopilot and Smart Summon, these small changes help make the overall Tesla ownership experience convenient and dynamic. It is these little improvements, after all, that proves that Teslas, unlike other vehicles, can actually get better over time. 

Based on the fact that the window close and vent function on the Tesla mobile app appears to be active only among members of the Early Access Program, there is a good chance that Tesla will conduct a mass rollout of the feature together with the V10 Update, which is expected to be released in the near future. V10 is expected to introduce several new improvements to Tesla’s new vehicles, including novel features like the Tesla Theater, Joe Mode, and the highly-anticipated Smart Summon.

Tesla to release mobile app update that allows window closing, venting features

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