The Cybertruck will have a front camera with a washer and a heater
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Tesla's unveiling of the Cybertruck still has the community buzzing as Tesla continues to send out emails for reservation holders to configure their Foundation series Cybertruck. While you wait for that email, Tesla has released some reading material for you to get even more acquainted with the stainless steel beast.
The parts catalog is also available, and it reveals even more surprises. It also details how much future owners should be prepared to dish out if a new part is needed. We reviewed the catalog and read a former Tesla service technician’s takeaways.
Front Bumper Camera (Video)
One of the Cybertruck's most innovative features, highlighted in the parts catalog, is its front camera system. This camera, placed at the center of the front bumper confirms that the front bumper camera will contain a washer to hose down the front lens which is sure to attract some debris.
However, it also confirms a new feature, the existence of a heating element for the front camera.
Cybertruck’s bumper camera washer. 💦
You initiate the washer by tapping an icon in the camera app.
This dual functionality is essential for maintaining visibility and functionality in various weather conditions, especially in colder climates where snow and ice can obscure the lens. The heating element prevents the build-up of frost, while the washer ensures that dirt and debris do not compromise the camera’s view.
The front camera washer is activated manually through the Camera app. When viewing the front bumper camera, there is a small icon in the corner of the video feed that activates the new washing feature.
It’s also likely that Tesla will include this front bumper camera in all future models. A revision to the Model S and Model X will contain the new front camera, and the North American version of the new Model 3 is expected to include one as well.
The Cybertruck also includes hardware 4.0, and like other models we’ve seen, the Cybertruck will only contain two front-facing cameras at the top of the windshield.
Windshield and Wiper Blade: Pricing and Practicality
The Cybertruck's massive windshield, priced at $1,900, has garnered attention for its size and cost. Its replacement, possibly requiring specialized techniques, reflects the vehicle's unique design. The wiper blade, priced at $75, has been humorously noted for its size but is essential for maintaining clear visibility in adverse weather.
Cybertruck Wiper will cost $75
Not a Tesla AppTesla
Shatterproof Windows and Powered Frunk
The Cybertruck's side windows are shatterproof, priced between $200-$260, enhancing the vehicle's safety profile. The powered frunk, another innovative feature, offers added convenience and storage at approximately $2,845. Since the Cybertruck uses two gigacasting, the front and rear fenders will also be individually available. For the rear fenders, this is significantly different than most cars, as the rear fenders are usually built as part of the frame of the vehicle.
Cybertruck Frunk and Panels
@niccruzpatane
All-Terrain Tires and Suspension System
Equipped with 35" All-Terrain A/T tires (Goodyear Wrangler Territory RT), priced at $470 each, the Cybertruck is ready for rugged terrains. This choice in tires underscores the vehicle's off-road capabilities. Although not detailed in terms of cost, the suspension system is expected to match the vehicle's high-performance standards and be adaptable to varying driving conditions.
Rear Drive Unit: Engineering Excellence
A former Tesla employee, Anthony Spina, reviewed the catalog and provided an in-depth part-by-part breakdown. The rear drive unit, especially in the Tri-Motor Cybertruck, showcases Tesla's engineering prowess. Spina's insights reveal a 48-volt oil pump system integral to the vehicle's performance. This pump is vital in power distribution and thermal management, ensuring the motors operate efficiently under various conditions.
Better Phone Key Support
A lot of what makes the parts in the Cybertruck interesting is that they likely lay the groundwork for future Tesla models, much like the Model 3 did for the Model Y and new Model S and X.
It looks like the Cybertruck will now have seven Bluetoooth Low Energy (BLE) sensors around the vehicle, which is more than other models. Using a form of triangulation, this should be better at detecting where the driver’s phone is in relation to the car.
Since the car’s driver profile can be tied to a specific phone through Bluetooth Priority Device, this helps improve various features, including, better unlocking, setting the correct driver profile and connecting Bluetooth audio to the correct device.
SiriusXM Hardware
The Cybertruck is a mix between Tesla’s luxury line of the Model S and X and their economy line of the 3 and Y. While it has an air suspension, a powered frunk and other features not available on the new Model 3, it doesn’t have other features available on the Model S, such as an instrument cluster. It looks like it also won’t have dedicated SiriusXM hardware, which could be disappointment to some future owners. Hopefully Tesla plans on rolling out a streaming version of SiriusXM soon.
Concerns Over Supply Chain and Parts Availability
A looming concern for Cybertruck owners is the availability of replacement parts. Tesla's history of long wait times for parts, coupled with the Cybertruck's unique stainless steel construction, makes the efficiency of the supply chain a critical factor. Ensuring a consistent supply of components will be pivotal for Tesla to meet maintenance and repair demands.
The Tesla Cybertruck, with its array of innovative features, represents a significant evolution in the EV market. The insights derived from users like Spina and others offer a glimpse into a vehicle that is futuristic not only in design but also in functionality. Now, get studying while you wait for the delivery email from Tesla.
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Back in 2023, Tesla put together a rather unique Supercharger site idea - one with a CyberCanopy. This canopy is intended to provide solar power for Supercharging, helping to reduce the impact on the local grid while also providing a futuristic and Cybertruck-themed location that would set it apart.
Unfortunately, the plans never moved beyond the filing stage. Instead, Tesla opened a standard-looking Supercharger at the same Canton, Massachusetts location. However, the site is still well-situated just off the highway and benefits from natural tree cover in the parking area.
However, Tesla is at it again with a concept for another CyberCanopy with RGB lighting. Thanks to MarkoRP for spotting this. No April Fool’s this time.
We want to build a few Superchargers cool enough to be worthy of the trip itself. - Max de Zegher
CyberCanopy 2
This second Supercharger with CyberCanopy is set for Roswell, New Mexico, at the Whataburger in town. Featuring just eight stalls, this will be one of Tesla’s smaller Supercharger sites, but for what it lacks in size, it makes up for it in uniqueness. The charging stalls are covered from the rain by a futuristic, Cybertruck-themed canopy, which will have solar panels installed on the top of it.
According to the plans, the CyberCanopy boasts 20.88kW of solar panels on its roof, providing shelter from the elements while also providing some power back to the grid.
RGB Lighting
At nighttime, the Supercharger will make a big statement. Tesla intends to light the long edges of the canopy, which will not only look amazing, but it’ll actually make finding the Supercharger easier in a large parking lot.
The lighting coming off the edge of the canopy reminds us a lot of the lightbar on the Cybertruck and now the new Model Y. It’s definitely the direction Tesla is moving for all their models, so expect all future models to have it, including the new Roadster and the next-gen model.
Tesla’s Max de Zegher also took to X after the plans for the new Supercharger were found and shared the image above. He stated that Tesla wants to build a few cool Superchargers that will be worth stopping at, even if they’re out of the way a little bit. So it seems like this isn’t just a concept, but an idea that Tesla wants to expand to several areas around the country or world.
We want to build a few Superchargers cool enough to be worthy of the trip itself. Wish we could have kept it under wraps for longer, but submittal was needed for Planning Approval. We can't hide anything from @MarcoRPi1! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/X2WaKDd408
This particular site doesn't have a Megapack or other form of energy storage, unlike the upcoming Harris Ranch Supercharger site in California. That means that Tesla won’t be storing the solar energy gained from this site, but instead will be either offsetting the immediate grid impact or serving energy back to the grid when the site isn’t actively charging.
Tesla will likely be incorporating V4 Superchargers, including both V4 posts and the new, more powerful V4 Cabinets, as the permit states that Tesla will be redesigning the site internally before beginning construction. For Cybertruck owners, 500kW charging may be around the corner.
We’re hoping Tesla continues to deploy these kinds of Supercharger sites around the world - they make a stylistic statement about Tesla’s futurism, like the Shell gas station that was upcycled into a Supercharger site earlier this year in Spain.
They also make a big impact for ownership because it is a far more comfortable charging experience when you stop at a site that’s shaded from the elements - and one that’s better for the environment with offset emissions.
It was a rainy April 1st when a news-searching author went on a delve into the depths of April Fools to find fact from falsehood. And while we found a lot of fantastic jokes, we also found some good ideas.
So, with a shoutout to MarcoRP on X, whose April Fool’s Joke gave us a good run for our money for a couple of minutes, we thought to ourselves - what would a Cybercab Charging Station / Cleaning Hub really look like?
Cybercab Wireless Charging Sites
Now, before continuing, we’d like to point out that the image up top is a joke from Marco - it isn’t an accurate or real site map submission from Tesla. However, it gave us the impetus to think critically about what is required for a Robotaxi fleet, based primarily on the Cybercab, to be able to service a city.
Requirements
Tesla will likely need to charge a small fleet of Cybercabs at a single time and in a single place. That means that the site needs to be large enough to cover a major metro area while also still being compact enough to not cost too much money to build out.
In addition, we need to factor in charge times. The Cybercab is likely to launch with a battery around 50 kWh, which will result in a range of approximately 300 miles. With that much range, the average Cybercab may not need to charge more than once or at all during daytime shifts, so instead, most of the vehicles will charge overnight.
MarcoRP
Math and Charge Times
The overnight charging means that most of these vehicles could be charged slowly. When we did some back-of-the-napkin math last year, we determined that Tesla’s wireless charger will likely peak around 17 kW (for comparison, Tesla’s Wall Connector at 32 amps charges at about 7 kW). If we scale Tesla’s wireless charger down slightly to 10 kW, accounting for some energy loss and the potential size of the site, that means a Cybercab will be able to charge in about 5 hours.
Tesla’s upcoming V4 Supercharger unit can currently handle 1.5MW per cabinet, but this slower-speed charging is A/C, not DC, which means there is a step-down loss of about 3-5%. Let’s make that a comfortable 10% for any other overages, but we can estimate around 1.35MW of power. That 1.3MW will easily handle charging up to 100 Cybercabs at once - all wirelessly, using Tesla’s unique beam-forming and beam-steering technology to keep efficiency high at every single stall.
Within about 5 hours, a whole fleet of 100 Cybercabs could be charged overnight when electricity rates are cheaper and still be out in time for the morning commute.
While this is all just hypothetical, it really does make sense that Tesla will be establishing these sites that won’t require much space or a ton of energy.
Tesla recently curtained off a large section of the parking garage at Giga Texas, as well as some of their chargers on the eastern end of the facility, leading us to believe they may just be testing this at scale internally.
There’s a lot to look forward to with Tesla’s V4 Supercharger deployment coming this year and with Robotaxi launching in just a couple of months.