Connect with us

News

Tesla “Cyberliving” trailer specs and size teased anew in Cybertruck UI images

Credit: Tesla

Published

on

The Tesla Cybertruck unveiling had, for lack of a better word, some unexpected events. Even Elon Musk himself admitted that he lost a lot of his rhythm after the vehicle’s now-infamous failed Armor Glass demonstration. The failed demo resulted in much of the latter part of the Cybertruck’s unveiling getting a bit rushed. Save for Tesla’s ATV, much of the Cybertruck’s accessories were not discussed at all. 

This does not mean that the Cybertruck is lacking in accessories and equipment, however. A look at Tesla’s concept images for the vehicle showed that the EV maker is at least looking to release several novel accessories and products that would complement the Cybertruck. These include a tent with a stove, some cool bed rails, and a massive, full-sized futuristic trailer that looked like it has enough space to be a tiny house. 

Credit: Tesla

Details about Tesla’s trailer, which was fondly called by some EV fans as the “Cyberliving” trailer, were scarce. Just like the Cybertruck’s other accessories, the massive contraption existed only as a cool concept image. Elon Musk, however, noted back in March that the Cybertruck could power a tiny house, such as those that could be pulled by a truck. This was cool but quite expected, considering that the Cybertruck is expected to have a massive battery pack. 

Fortunately, a patent about the Tesla Cybertruck’s UI has provided what appears to be some teasers about the futuristic trailer. Illustrations from the patent (Figures 8A and 8B), which seemed to be screenshots from the Cybertruck’s UI, included an image showing a video feed from the pickup’s rear camera as it was being attached to a trailer. Based on Figure 8A, the Cybertruck’s futuristic trailer seems to be quite massive. 

Credit: US Patent Office

Interestingly enough, Figure 8B of the Cybertruck’s UI patent featured the pickup as it was pulling the trailer on the road. The image included a rather interesting detail, with the upper part of the UI stating that the Cybertruck was pulling 20,000 pounds. Whether this 20,000-pound load was the massive “Cyberliving” trailer was not specified in the patent’s images, but the fact that the pickup could pull such a load is impressive nonetheless. 

A potential 20,000-pound trailer could open the doors for luxury campers that are best used by families that love glamping. Campers at this class typically include a King Size bed, an actual living room, a full kitchen, and a spacious bathroom with a tub, such as the DRV Luxury Suite 44 Memphis. If Tesla could release a similar camper with the same weight and amenities as traditional campers in the 20,000-pound range, then the EV maker could end up disrupting yet another segment. 

Tesla’s Cybertruck UI patent could be viewed here

Advertisement
-
-

Don’t hesitate to contact us for news tips. Just send a message to tips@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

Advertisement
Comments

Energy

Tesla launches Powerwall Lease for affordable home backup

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla Energy has introduced the Powerwall Lease in conjunction with Tesla Electric, making the service available in Texas. This new option delivers whole-home backup power using two Powerwall units for a net monthly cost of $35 after credits, accompanied by a low fixed electricity rate.

Under the lease terms, customers pay a one-time order fee of $100. The base lease payment for the two Powerwalls is approximately $122 per month during the first year, subject to a 3 percent annual escalator thereafter. Enrollment in a qualifying Tesla Electric Backup plan or Virtual Power Plant plan provides an $87 monthly credit.

This credit lowers the effective cost to roughly $35 per month plus applicable tax.

Advertisement
-
-

Installation of the standard system carries no additional charge. The package features Storm Watch for outage protection and allows complete management through a single Tesla application. The system supplies continuous whole-home backup capability.

The Powerwall system enables households to maintain electricity during severe storms that disrupt the utility grid. When outages occur, the batteries automatically provide seamless backup power to the home.

Tesla announces 100k Powerwalls are participating in Virtual Power Plants

Tesla Storm Watch monitors weather forecasts and ensures the units are fully charged ahead of anticipated severe weather events so that power remains available throughout the disruption, keeping lights, refrigeration, and other essential systems operating without interruption.

Availability is restricted to select Texas locations where retail electric choice exists. Participants must lease exactly two Powerwall units and maintain continuous enrollment with Tesla Electric. Solar panels cannot be included under this particular lease arrangement.

The monthly credit activates automatically once the system is installed, receives permission to operate, and enrollment is confirmed. To retain the credit, customers are required to stay enrolled in Tesla Electric and fulfill all program conditions.

Nonstandard installations that involve electrical upgrades or special permitting may lead to extra expenses and might impact eligibility for the credit, so be sure to check with either your installer or Tesla to ensure you will still qualify.

Advertisement
-
-
Continue Reading

News

Elon Musk teases Tesla Roadster unveiling once again

Published

on

tesla roadster
Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk continues to tease the unveiling event for the Tesla Roadster, a continuing trend that has grown into a bigger game of “When” for fans who have been waiting years for the car to finally enter production.

A video shared on X of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that Musk appeared on last year, teasing the Roadster unveiling, was shared once again on the social media platform. The poster said the Roadster event will be “unforgettable.”

Musk agreed:

The timing is interesting because just yesterday, Musk said that we will be getting flying cars, and for years, Tesla has hinted that it could develop a SpaceX cold gas thruster package that would help the car float or fly for a short period of time.

It would be reasonable to assume Tesla’s major delays with this unveiling event are likely caused by the company’s need to break the rules and push the envelope on nearly everything. Last July, Lars Moravy, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, said:

Advertisement
-
-

“Roadster is definitely in development. We did talk about it last Sunday night. We are gearing up for a super cool demo. It’s going to be mind blowing. We showed Elon some cool demos last week of the tech we’ve been working on and he got a little excited.”

The latest updates that Tesla has given us are that the Roadster is in design development, and it did have several potential dates for an unveiling event this year, including April. It was then pushed to August.

However, there are no clues as to when Tesla will be ready, and fans are certainly getting frustrated with the delays.

For what it is worth, Franz von Holzhausen told Jay Leno this week that the event would be “very soon.”

We sure hope.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Tesla’s driverless Cybercab just passed a big test with State Governor

Florida’s governor rode Tesla’s Cybercab at a closed test track and called the experience impressive.

Published

on

By

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis rode in a Tesla Cybercab on a closed test track this week and came away impressed, posting on X that the vehicle “successfully navigated all hazards — a kid running into the street, a crash with police stopping traffic, a Model S cutting us off, etc.” He called the ride “impressive.”

The stop was part of a broader event Monday at SunTrax, a 775 acre state owned proving ground in Auburndale that Florida built specifically to test autonomous and connected vehicles before they reach public roads. Standing next to a gold Cybercab, DeSantis described the car in plain terms: “You go in there and you just sit. You have a screen. There’s no steering wheel, no pedals. Clearly these things could be very beneficial.”

DeSantis paired the praise with a caveat that has followed autonomous vehicles since the category existed. “You don’t want to be in an autonomous vehicle and it drives you into a ditch. That would not be good,” he said, framing safety validation as the gate before wider deployment.

SunTrax, the 2.25 mile oval which the state calls the only high speed autonomous vehicle test track in the Southeast, can simulate rain, pedestrian crossings, hills and crowded urban conditions at highway speeds, letting companies push a car past what an early public rollout would risk. Tesla, Waymo and Beep all use the facility, and Florida’s regulatory approach, among the most permissive for autonomous vehicles in the country, doesn’t require a human operator inside a fully autonomous car.

Advertisement
-
-

Tesla has reason to want the blessing of Florida and states beyond, as the Cybercab entered volume production at Gigafactory Texas this spring and has since self certified as SAE Level 4 under Texas law. Public road testing so far has kept a safety monitor in the passenger seat, and Florida is where Tesla has been expanding its existing Model Y based Robotaxi service instead, adding Miami in July and then Orlando and Tampa two weeks later. A closed track endorsement from a sitting governor doesn’t change any of that, but it does put Tesla’s newest hardware in front of a state that has already shown it will move fast on rules.

Continue Reading