- Tesla has filed a patent suggesting it might put Starlink satellite internet receivers in its cars.
- Having high-quality broadband anywhere in the world would be a huge and obvious advantage for the company.
- This will help establish EVs not just as alternatives to cars, but as mobile power and work stations.
Tesla may be preparing to add Starlink to its cars, according to a patent filing first reported by Electric. This connection is so predictable that it has been rumored for years. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also runs SpaceX, the company that makes Starlink.
High-speed Internet that can be accessed anywhere would certainly be a boon to Tesla customers, and could be a big enough upgrade to tempt me into the Tesla camp. This is why.
What we know
Tesla has filed a patent covering a vehicle’s radio-frequency transparent roof assembly, specifically stating that it allows satellite communications to pass through. This is important, because signals from SpaceX satellites cannot reliably penetrate glass or metal.
The patent doesn’t describe what this technology will enable or why Tesla is pursuing it, but it’s relatively easy to read between the lines here. Teslas already have GPS receivers, and use Internet streaming to access satellite radio. The only other use case for in-car satellite connectivity would be for some sort of communications or internet system, and since Musk also runs SpaceX, it’s clear the link would work. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Musk has used his position as CEO of one of his companies to obtain lucrative contracts for another company.
We still don’t know when or if this will come to Tesla cars, but the patent filing is the best sign we have yet that it’s coming. Tesla also tends to deploy new technology relatively quickly, so it may not take long.
SpaceX already features Cybertrucks in official materials promoting Starlink’s “Performance Kit.” Direct integration would be an obvious next step, and would resolve any concerns about robustness.
Photo by: InsideEVs
Why is Starlink in Teslas a great idea?
I think this would be a huge win for Tesla customers and, ultimately, the entire industry. Most of the speculation around this has focused on autonomous driving, with fans speculating that it could enable some networking between cars, or active updating in dead zones. This may be true, but it remains unproven yet. Sending a signal to a satellite and back to Earth is unlikely to be the most reliable or fastest way to communicate between two cars at the same intersection. I’m open to being wrong there, but the added value is uncertain.
The real advantage is clear: Internet anywhere. Starlink is remarkably reliable and covers essentially the entire globe with minimal latency and great speeds. This means that all of your app controls – from remote climate control and unlocking to Dog Mode and Sentry Mode monitoring – can work anywhere.
More importantly, if Tesla lets you use the Starlink signal as a mobile hotspot, you’ll be able to share that data with any device. This is a big deal, as Tesla is one of the few companies that doesn’t let you use their cars as a mobile hotspot, but the payoff could be huge. Teslas already have a great “Camp Mode” that allows you to use climate control, watch movies, charge electronic devices, and use lights without worrying about your 12-volt battery. Add an Internet connection and you have a fully functioning remote office and sleeping space, available anywhere in the world within a few hundred miles of a power outlet.
I’m not a Cybertruck guy. But an all-terrain truck with the ability to provide power and connect to the Internet anywhere is certainly useful, too.
Photo by: Tesla
That would be especially useful for the Cybertruck, which has the tires and clearance needed to dig deep into the graces, and the ability to export the power it needs to power a mobile office.
Of course, there’s a natural yang to that yin: Internet Anywhere means you can be reached anywhere. This means that a camping trip is no longer an excuse to not check your emails. But for me, the reward is worth it. Knowing that you can access emergency services, troubleshoot problems using the Internet, and communicate with loved ones makes getting into the wilderness easier and safer for everyday people.
Actual innovation
This would be a great time for Tesla to launch Internet Access Anywhere, as the company is hungry for new innovations. The improvements in “full self-driving (supervised)” are certainly impressive, but if you’re a Tesla fan and want to drive your own car, the company hasn’t done much to move the needle in recent years.
The Cybertruck’s 800V architecture, V2G support, and all-wheel steering may be new to Tesla, but other automakers have been offering these features for years. The steer-by-wire and 48-volt system were really new, but it’s hard to say there was much of a bonus for customers there. the The Model 3 and Model Y have also gotten updates in recent yearsbut those were quality-of-life improvements, not major achievements. That’s why The Model Y didn’t win our main award this year.
Tesla makes great cars. But it hasn’t released a major new feature to its core lineup in a while. Starlink could be the solution.
Photo: Mac Hogan/InsideEVs
This company has built its empire on keeping us away. It needs to do it again to fix its declining sales. with Roadster is constantly latethe Cybertruck floundering, The basic models are outdated and Robotaxi Starlink’s capability remains unresolved, and it’s a game-changing addition the company can make today, not years in the future. This would be exactly the kind of innovative feature that competitors can’t match.
And perhaps most importantly, it will be the first company to define what the future of electric vehicles looks like: power, connectivity, and anywhere comfort. Your electric vehicle will not just be a car replacement, it will serve as a mobile base camp, powering, connecting or transporting everything you need to live. It’s a compelling vision that I’m sure competitors will be quick to follow, potentially paying Starlink to deliver their own cars, in the absence of similar alternatives.
This future seems possible, but someone has to lead us there. Again, it looks like it might be a Tesla.
Contact the author: Mack.hogan@insideevs.com
