Tesla has filed a patent application that strongly suggests the automaker is preparing to integrate Starlink satellite receivers directly into its vehicles.
According to a report from the website Electrek, the patent, titled “Vehicle Roof Assembly with Radio Frequency Transparent Material,” describes a new roof structure specifically designed to allow satellite signals to pass through.
The application notes that traditional automotive roofs, made of glass and/or metal, typically block or attenuate satellite signals, making it difficult to hide an antenna inside the cabin.
With this in mind, Tesla’s solution appears to be the use of specific polymer blends, such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), which are “radio-frequency (RF) transparent.”
The patent mentions that this assembly will allow the integration of “antennas directly into the roof structure, enabling clear communication with external devices and satellites.”
While the patent does not directly mention Starlink, it is assumed that the technology would come from Elon Musk’s other company, SpaceX, which already operates a satellite internet constellation.
Starlink’s high-bandwidth, low-latency satellite network would be perfectly capable of supporting the type of data consumed by Tesla vehicles.
Although Tesla’s intentions with the patent are not yet clear, installing such an antenna would allow the car to switch between 5G cellular networks and the Starlink satellite network depending on coverage, ensuring that the vehicle is always online.
Photos: Unsplash / Tesla. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
