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PowerHydrant Charges Tesla Using Robotic Arm

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We’ve been obsessed with wireless inductive charging lately because from a technology standpoint, it just seems so magical. Hands-free charging with zero hassle. Who wouldn’t love that? There’s even been talks that these systems may be the next evolution of charging that could bring battery electric vehicles (EV) to mass market, but all only if it can overcome its inefficiencies and transfer energy at a rate comparable to (if not better than) cables.

During our obsessive research, we discovered another startup company by the name of PowerHydrant looking to revolutionize the way EV owners think about hands-free charging.

What if a robotic arm could charge your car for you? Would you let it? Imagine parking your Tesla Model S and walking away, knowing it is charging without you having to touch any cords whatsoever.

PowerHydrant Takes the Plug Away From Your Hands

The thought of driving any EV into a parking space without worrying about charging is a promise that has escaped us, so far. Ideally, we would have a single universal hands-free system that automatically detects which EV requires a charge and comes to the rescue. You don’t see it? Well, imagine living in a world of EVs. A world where each vehicle’s life blood is controlled by a machine. Like a scene out of the Matrix, a robotic arm unplugs and sets the adjoining Tesla Roadster free from its charging machine, before plugging into your Tesla Model S.

PowerHydrant’s computer-vision robot is capable of servicing multiple EVs simultaneously, up to four per device, on a time-shared basis. What it seeks to do is set two important trends: the commoditization of human-service robots and the realization of low-cost embedded vision.

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How it Works

PowerHydrant’s system will automatically align to any electric car and will also handle all charging levels, from Level 1 (110V), to Level 2 (240V), up to 120kW DC fast charging, and even beyond. PowerHydrant claims a 99% efficiency, on par with most hand-cable systems.

PowerHydrant-3D-Scan-Tesla-Model-S-Point-Cloud

Using image sensors, PowerHydrant’s robotic arm will connect to any and start charging without you having to touch a charging cable. The company is testing the system on their personal Model S test vehicle.

Using the latest 3D depth sensing technology, PowerHydrant constructed an actual point cloud representation of the Tesla Model S. Every nut, bolt and curvature of the vehicle is sensed by the PowerHydrant therefore letting the system know how to navigate around the virtual perimeter of the vehicle before engaging a proprietary plug port on the vehicle.

When asked about its safety in use, Kevin Leary, Founder and CEO of PowerHydrant, says:

“PowerHydrant is a friendly robot intended to work around and with people. No risk to the dog, kids or grandma … Like all well-designed systems, PowerHydrant well have other fail-safe mechanisms.”

3D-Tesla-Model-S-Point-Cloud

The Future

Stereo Disp PC CorrThe thought of PowerHydrant introducing a universal charging solution for EVs should make it a serious contender in the world of efficient hands-free systems. We can also see how this universal hands-free system could come in handy as you pick up the kids from school and have to guide a herd of famished children home, while carrying dinner without the extra hassle of having to plug in the car. Mostly, we feel this simple solution offers an elegant design for apartment complexes and condos where parking space is at a premium. One arm feeds four electric car.

We will keep a close eye on PowerHydrant and see how the system will continue to make our EV life a little more convenient by removing the hassle of plugging in at the end of the day.

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Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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