Elon Musk's Tesla Inc. (FCC) has achieved a significant milestone by securing a waiver from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging on its forthcoming Cybercab.
Wireless Charging on Tesla?
In an official filing released on Wednesday, the FCC announced the approval of Tesla's request, waiving sections 15.519(a) and 15.519(a)(2) of its guidelines concerning UWB devices. The agency stated, "We find there is good cause to grant Tesla's request," indicating the innovation's potential.
Section 15.519(a) specifies that UWB devices must be handheld, while Section 15.519(a)(2) prohibits antennas mounted on external structures. The FCC justified the waiver by noting that Tesla's technology would operate briefly and with low power, ensuring it would not interfere with existing systems.
The UWB radios will assist in determining the vehicle's position, allowing wireless charging only when the vehicle is correctly aligned on the charging pad. "We conclude that Tesla has adequately demonstrated that its product will not undermine the purpose of the rule as it will not create the type of wide-area communications system," the filing stated.
How Will Tesla's Wireless Charging Work?
Tesla's wireless charging solution will employ an induction charging system via a floor-mounted pad that uses an electromagnetic coil to charge the vehicle, similar to wireless phone chargers. The system generates an alternating electromagnetic field to facilitate power transfer.
This FCC waiver could be pivotal for Tesla, addressing a critical challenge in wireless charging: ensuring proper coil alignment to enable effective power transfer. UWB technology will guide the vehicle’s navigation, ensuring accurate positioning on the charging pad.
Tesla's Cybercab Production, FSD Milestone
In conjunction with this announcement, Tesla has revealed its production-ready version of the Cybercab, slated for customer delivery at a price of $30,000. The company anticipates ramping up production in April.
Additionally, Tesla disclosed that its Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has logged over 8.2 billion miles, with more than 3 billion miles driven in urban environments. However, concerns have arisen regarding the system's performance, particularly after a recent report of five additional crashes involving Tesla's Robotaxi in Austin. A Tesla owner also shared videos showing the FSD system veering dangerously close to a lake.
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