Phrase on the Straße (“avenue” in German) is that Tesla is buying the corporate Wiferion, a wi-fi charging firm that has labored with greater than 100 firms to supply wi-fi charging options — whether or not for automobiles or robots or what — since 2015. That’s in response to the German arm of Enterprise Insider.
There are a number of attention-grabbing issues about this acquisition (which Tesla has not confirmed but). Initially, final yr, wi-fi EV charging startup WiTricity licensed its expertise to Wiferion — our solely protection of Wiferion. We have now coated WiTricity for years, and it has appeared to have made breakthroughs in quick wi-fi charging.
So, what’s happening with WiTricity in regard to this deal? We don’t know. What’s reported is that Tesla Worldwide BV, a 100% Dutch subsidiary of Tesla, has filed to amass all of the shares of Wiferion.
So, that’s what we all know. How about some hypothesis?
The obvious assumption is that Tesla is getting ready to supply wi-fi EV charging. Nonetheless, the query could be whether or not that is for dwelling EV wi-fi charging, quick wi-fi charging at Superchargers, wi-fi charging for Semi vehicles, wi-fi charging for Tesla robots (Optimus), or some mixture of these functions.
Clearly, I’ve no actual thought what the reply is, nevertheless it appears to me that Tesla would wish to give attention to wi-fi charging at a excessive velocity at Superchargers — to make the method simpler on drivers in addition to to cut back the necessity for gear repairs on account of put on and tear at Superchargers, which I’m seeing increasingly more. On the flip facet, although, I don’t suppose Tesla may get almost the identical charging velocity, and I believe that’s Tesla’s prime concern at Superchargers. Additionally, Superchargers are certainly fairly dependable and durable. Tesla Semi vehicles may additionally want extra energy than Wiferion tech or different tech can provide proper now, and the way exhausting is it for a trucker to plug in?
One chance is that Tesla would need a simple, “autonomous” charging answer for robotaxis and self-driving vehicles. Having driverless automobiles turns into a bit problematic if it is advisable to get assist to cost — except the automobile may simply routinely pull as much as the best spot and charging routinely. On the flip facet, I don’t see Tesla having the ability to launch robotaxis anytime quickly. Nonetheless, on the flip facet of my flip facet, Elon Musk appears to nonetheless suppose that is simply across the nook, so perhaps he’s planning for it.
Every other concepts on why Tesla would purchase Wiferion and what its wi-fi charging tech is likely to be used for?
Featured picture: screenshot from Wiferion web site.
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