<ul><li>A patent filed by Tesla could create a new way for car cameras to clean themselves when they get dirty.</li><li>The method involves adding a fluid reservoir and wiper into the camera assembly.</li><li>This allows the camera to rid itself of debris similar to how a human eye blinks.</li></ul><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_first_1780582065"></div></div><p>Elon Musk has long claimed that his cars don't need extra sensors like lidar and radar to become autonomous. Teslas should be able to drive themselves using only cameras and computing power, he has said, since humans can drive with just eyes and a brain. Now Tesla is working on something akin to eyelids for its cars.</p><p>A new patent filed by Tesladescribes a spherical-shaped wiper that follows the contour of the camera lens. The wiper is aided by a fluid dispenser that works together with the wiper blade to clear the lens of debris. Sounds a lot like how the human eye works, no? This is just a patent, and it's not clear that the tech will make it into Tesla's passenger cars or Robotaxi fleet, or what vehicles it's intended for.</p><section>        <span class="svg-search">                                                </span>                            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="Tesla Camera Lens Cleaner Inline" width="16" height="9" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png"/>            <div>Photo by: Tesla</div></section><div></div><p>The software side of the patent describes a system that monitors the image captured by the camera to tell when visibility is degraded due to dirt, mud, water droplets, or what have you. When it senses a dirty lens, the wiper system can engage and &#34;blink&#34; to get rid of the debris.</p><p>Tesla has experimented with different ways to keep its cameras clean already, including a new sprayer-based system on the upcoming Cybercab model. However, as almost any owner who has used Autopilot or Full Self-Driving in adverse conditions can tell you, its current methods (or lack thereof) don't work perfectly. This is why some owners have resorted to aftermarkethydrophobic covers and coatings for their vehicles.</p>    <section>        <div>            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/custom/share/evus_newsletter_widget_logo.svg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="Motor1.com INSIDER - logo" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/custom/share/evus_newsletter_widget_logo.svg"/>        </div>        <div>            <div>Stay informed with our newsletter every weekday</div>                        <div>                <div></div>                back            </div>                                             Subscribe                <span class="widget-newsletter__legal">For more info, read our Privacy Policy &amp; Terms of Use. </span>                    </div>    </section><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_1_1780582065"></div></div>    <hr/><div></div>    <div>        <span class="normal-label-xlarge">What do you think?</span>        <div>                                                    <div>                <span class="top-counter-comments-prefix">View</span>                                    <div>                        <div></div>                    </div>                                <span class="top-counter-comments-suffix">Comments</span>            </div>        </div>    </div>    <hr/><p>Creating a fleet of driverless cars surfaces all sorts of problems that don't apply to human drivers. There's creating a reliable self-driving system, of course. But then there are all the other nitty gritty details involved in keeping vehicles moving without humans present. Keeping cameras and sensors clean is one, and Tesla may have an answer for that here. There's also the whole business ofcleaning and chargingthe cars.</p><p>That being said, Tesla doesn't exactly have the best track record with automatic wipers, so it might take a bit of work to avoid phantom wiper activation—if this tech ever makes it to production, that is.</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_3_1780582065"></div></div><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_2_1780582065"></div></div><section> <p>More Tesla News</p> <div> <div>                    Tesla Is Selling Discounted Used Cybertrucks Now </div> <div>                    Tesla Could Build A Model 3 Plaid. That Doesn’t Mean It Will </div> <div>                    Elon Musk Promised 1,000 Texas Robotaxis Last Year. It’s Nowhere Near That </div> <div>                    Tesla Was Supposed To Be Losing Europe. The Data Says Otherwise </div> </div> </section>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        <section><p><span>We want your opinion!</span></p><div><p>What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?</p>Take our 3 minute survey.</div><p>- The InsideEVs team</p></section>                                                                            <div>                                <div>                                    Share this Story                                </div>                                <div>                                    <ul>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            Facebook                                                                        </li>                                    <li>                                                                                                                                            X                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            LinkedIn                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            Flipboard                                                                        </li>                                                    <li>                                                                                                                                            Reddit                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            WhatsApp                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            E-Mail                                                                        </li>                                                                                    <li>                                                                                                                                                 copy                                                                        </li>                    </ul>                                </div>                                                                    <div>                                        <div>                                                                                                                                                                                    <span class="top-counter-comments-label">GO TO COMMENTS</span>                                                                                            <div>                                                    <span>(</span>                                                    <div></div>                                                    <span>)</span>                                                </div>                                                                                    </div>                                    </div>                                                            </div>                                                            <div>                                    <div>                                        <span>Got a tip for us? 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<p>Tesla has filed a patent for a camera cleaning system that mimics the human eye. The technology uses a spherical wiper and fluid dispenser to clear debris from camera lenses when visibility is degraded. This innovation supports Tesla's strategy of relying solely on cameras for autonomous driving, addressing issues with sensor cleanliness in adverse conditions.</p>

- Tesla has filed a patent for a self-cleaning camera system that mimics human blinking, using a wiper and fluid reservoir.  
- The technology aims to enhance the cameras' effectiveness in maintaining visibility by automatically engaging when dirt or debris is detected.  
- Although promising, it remains uncertain if this technology will be implemented in Tesla vehicles, given past challenges with automatic cleaning systems.

Tesla Wants Its Cameras To 'Blink' Like a Human Eye