Tesla may use lasers in the future to replace wipers, keeping the cameras of its robotaxis clear. Lars Moravy, Vice President of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla, proposed this idea in the latest episode of "Jay Leno's Garage." In the episode, he, along with Design Chief Franz von Holzhausen, introduced the Model Y L to Leno. He stated, "If you focus the laser on a specific area, you can clear the water film and create a barrier."
"Considering autonomous driving, it may be sufficient to just clean the area where the lens is located." He added that cleaning the entire windshield would require excessive laser use, which is not practical.
This comment brings to mind a rather unusual patent from Tesla. The company applied for a patent titled "Pulse Laser Cleaning of Glass Objects Accumulated on Vehicles and Photovoltaic Components" in May 2019, which was approved by the U.S. Patent Office in September 2021, with an updated divisional version granted on March 31, 2026. The system can detect debris on glass, identify its type, and emit lasers at calibrated rates, ensuring that the laser beam does not penetrate the glass itself. Potential targets mentioned in the application include windshields, side windows, camera lenses, and solar panels.
Tesla Plans to Introduce Laser Cleaning Technology in the Future
Lasers were rumored to be used in the Cybertruck, which debuted in November 2019 without wipers. Tesla ultimately opted for an oversized single wiper, and Elon Musk admitted that the wiper was the most troubling aspect for him. The production line is expected to close in mid-2027 to make way for increased production of Cybercab.
Over time, the role of passengers in vehicles has also changed. Drivers of private cars can notice dirt on the windshield and clean it, whereas a Cybercab heading to the next pickup point has no one onboard to check. Tesla has been addressing this issue through traditional hardware. Reports indicate that in January, a cleaning device was installed on the side repeater cameras of the Model Y robotaxi in Austin, while a lens cleaning patent approved in May described a liquid and wiper assembly for vehicle lenses and the eyes of Optimus.
Using lasers would eliminate the need for liquids and wipers, both of which require regular replacement across the fleet.
In the same episode, Leno experienced fully autonomous driving (supervised mode) for the first time. When an ambulance approached with its siren on, the Model Y L automatically stopped. Leno remarked, "We activated self-driving mode! I didn't touch anything." Moravy and Holzhausen also explained that while using FSD (supervised mode), the owner remains responsible, while Tesla is liable for the robotaxi's operation, as it acts as the operator. Tesla launched the Model Y L in the U.S. in July, priced at US$61,990 (approximately HK$484,962).
Moravy did not provide a specific timeline and described the laser device as an option Tesla is considering, rather than a confirmed feature.
However, the scale of the service fleet continues to expand. Tesla launched its unmonitored robotaxi service in San Antonio on Monday, marking its eighth city, and on the same day expanded its service area in Austin to approximately 443 square miles. These markets, including areas like Houston, Miami, and Tampa, often experience seasonal rainfall.