Will Tesla cars have built-in Starlink internet?

A recent Tesla patent suggests the possibility of integrating satellite communication components into vehicle roofs, sparking speculation about future Starlink integration.

What is the new Tesla roof patent about?

The patent describes a vehicle roof with RF-transparent materials designed to integrate antennas and electrical modules for improved satellite communication.

How does Tesla's Premium Connectivity work?

Existing Tesla vehicles already utilize cellular antennas to provide a 'Premium Connectivity' feature, offering enhanced internet services.

Home / Technology / Tesla Roof Patent Hints at Starlink Integration

Tesla Roof Patent Hints at Starlink Integration

11 Dec

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Summary

Tesla patented a vehicle roof with RF-transparent materials for component integration.
The patent enables antennas for clear communication with satellites.
This development fuels speculation about future built-in Starlink internet for EVs.

Tesla Roof Patent Hints at Starlink Integration

Tesla has submitted a patent application for a novel vehicle roof design that features radio frequency transparent materials. This design is intended to seamlessly integrate electrical modules and components, such as antennas, directly into the roof structure.

This advancement has led to widespread speculation that Tesla might be planning to incorporate SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service into its electric vehicles. Currently, users of Starlink sometimes manually attach satellite dishes to their cars for connectivity, a workaround this patent might obsolete.

While the patent doesn't explicitly mention Starlink or SpaceX, it does detail a 'satellite communication component' and 'satellite antenna' capable of communicating with orbiting systems, including navigation satellites and LTE signals, enhancing connectivity options for future vehicles.