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 keeping with the German arm of Enterprise Insider.
There are just a few attention-grabbing issues about this acquisition (which Tesla has not confirmed but). Initially, final yr, wi-fi EV charging startup WiTricity licensed its know-how to Wiferion — our solely protection of Wiferion. Now we have lined WiTricity for years, and it has appeared to have made breakthroughs in quick wi-fi charging.
So, what’s occurring 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 accumulate 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. Nevertheless, the query can 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 concept what the reply is, but it surely appears to me that Tesla would wish to deal with wi-fi charging at a excessive velocity at Superchargers — to make the method simpler on drivers in addition to to scale back the necessity for gear repairs as a result of put on and tear at Superchargers, which I’m seeing increasingly more. On the flip aspect, although, I don’t assume Tesla may get almost the identical charging velocity, and I feel that’s Tesla’s prime concern at Superchargers. Additionally, Superchargers are certainly fairly dependable and durable. Tesla Semi vehicles may want extra energy than Wiferion tech or different tech can provide proper now, and the way arduous is it for a trucker to plug in?
One risk is that Tesla would need a straightforward, “autonomous” charging answer for robotaxis and self-driving vehicles. Having driverless automobiles turns into somewhat problematic if it’s worthwhile to get assist to cost — until the automobile may simply mechanically pull as much as the best spot and charging mechanically. On the flip aspect, I don’t see Tesla with the ability to launch robotaxis anytime quickly. Nevertheless, on the flip aspect of my flip aspect, Elon Musk appears to nonetheless assume 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 could be used for?
Featured picture: screenshot from Wiferion web site.
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