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Tesla’s metal-air battery patent: Carpe ‘Battery’ Diem or yesterday’s news?
Tesla was recently granted a US patent titled, “Hazard mitigation through gas flow communication between battery packs,” and with the company’s Battery Day event around the corner, anything that may foretell what the revelations will be is seeing some serious consideration. Given that this invention describes a cooling process between a combined metal-air battery pack and non-metal-air battery pack, a first glance suggests that the patent is a Roadrunner-related hint. On this particular patent, though, there’s a bit of background to consider that might not indicate what the application title plus the patent’s publication date implies.
First, U.S. Patent No. 10,763,477 was issued on September 1, 2020, and Tesla’s Battery Day is September 22, 2020; however, the patent’s filing date goes back to January 16, 2017. When it comes to inventions at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), it’s not uncommon for the legal side of the patent process to take several years to complete, and there are few options available to speed up the process. But even these simple dates don’t tell the whole story on this patent’s timeline.
In addition to being several years in the making, this patent is a continuation of another patent (U.S. Patent No. 9,548,616) which was filed in 2011 with a provisional priority date in 2010. Considering the Model S’s debut took place in June 2012, it would seem that hopes of metal-air batteries getting a Battery Day feature become a bit less bright. Of course, it might be possible that Tesla has been working on the incredible tech that CEO Elon Musk has promised for next week’s event, as he is often full of surprises. Unfortunately, that doesn’t really seem to match either the USPTO’s record of the patent’s history nor the battery-related events that have been reported over the last year for Tesla.
The core of Tesla’s most recently issued patent involves mitigating thermal runaway events that battery packs can be prone to experiencing. By introducing a metal-air battery to the overall lithium-ion vehicle battery system, a cooling method is made possible. As described in the application:
“The present invention provides a system and method for mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack. In accordance with the invention, the hot gas and material generated during the event is directed through the metal-air cells of a metal-air battery pack, the metal-air cells providing a large thermal mass for absorbing at least a portion of the generated thermal energy before it is released to the ambient environment, thereby lowering the risk to vehicle passengers, bystanders and first responders as well as limiting collateral property damage.”
This same description of the invention’s purpose is also included in its parent patent which has a priority filing date in 2010. While the specific claims (legal descriptions of what’s actually invented) in the recently published patent look to be a bit broader in scope than the older patent, thus indicating Tesla has either continued to develop and improve on the thermal runaway mitigation system or is trying to gain more extensive patent rights, another notable point is in the legal prosecution history at the USPTO.
The patent examiner in the case did not deem the two patents to be unique enough to have different expiration dates, and what’s called a Terminal Disclaimer was required for Tesla to be granted the patent rights. In other words, Tesla’s described battery technology in this particular case hasn’t changed significantly (according to the examiner) since it was first filed back in 2010. It may already be incorporated into the company’s current vehicles in some capacity.
Even without this patent’s promise of metal-ion battery tech as an inclusion in Battery Day revelations, there’s still plenty to look forward to. As some have dubbed the event “Master Plan Part 3,” Tesla is expected to detail its in-house production strategy and give a first look at its company-branded battery cells.
Tesla’s patent could be accessed below.
US10763477B2 by Simon Alvarez on Scribd
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Man credits Grok AI with saving his life after ER missed near-ruptured appendix
The AI flagged some of the man’s symptoms and urged him to return to the ER immediately and demand a CT scan.
A 49-year-old man has stated that xAI’s Grok ended up saving his life when the large language model identified a near-ruptured appendix that his first ER visit dismissed as acid reflux.
After being sent home from the ER, the man asked Grok to analyze his symptoms. The AI flagged some of the man’s symptoms and urged him to return immediately and demand a CT scan. The scan confirmed that something far worse than acid reflux was indeed going on.
Grok spotted what a doctor missed
In a post on Reddit, u/Tykjen noted that for 24 hours straight, he had a constant “razor-blade-level” abdominal pain that forced him into a fetal position. He had no fever or visible signs. He went to the ER, where a doctor pressed his soft belly, prescribed acid blockers, and sent him home.
The acid blockers didn’t work, and the man’s pain remained intense. He then decided to open a year-long chat he had with Grok and listed every detail that he was experiencing. The AI responded quickly. “Grok immediately flagged perforated ulcer or atypical appendicitis, told me the exact red-flag pattern I was describing, and basically said “go back right now and ask for a CT,” the man wrote in his post.
He copied Grok’s reasoning, returned to the ER, and insisted on the scan. The CT scan ultimately showed an inflamed appendix on the verge of rupture. Six hours later, the appendix was out. The man said the pain has completely vanished, and he woke up laughing under anesthesia. He was discharged the next day.
How a late-night conversation with Grok got me to demand the CT scan that saved my life from a ruptured appendix (December 2025)
byu/Tykjen ingrok
AI doctors could very well be welcomed
In the replies to his Reddit post, u/Tykjen further explained that he specifically avoided telling doctors that Grok, an AI, suggested he get a CT scan. “I did not tell them on the second visit that Grok recommended the CT scan. I had to lie. I told them my sister who’s a nurse told me to ask for the scan,” the man wrote.
One commenter noted that the use of AI in medicine will likely be welcomed, stating that “If AI could take doctors’ jobs one day, I will be happy. Doctors just don’t care anymore. It’s all a paycheck.” The Redditor replied with, “Sadly yes. That is what it felt like after the first visit. And the following night could have been my last.”
Elon Musk has been very optimistic about the potential of robots like Tesla Optimus in the medical field. Provided that they are able to achieve human-level articulation in their hands, and Tesla is able to bring down their cost through mass manufacturing, the era of AI-powered medical care could very well be closer than expected.
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Tesla expands Model 3 lineup in Europe with most affordable variant yet
The Model 3 Standard still delivers more than 300 miles of range, potentially making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Tesla has introduced a lower-priced Model 3 variant in Europe, expanding the lineup just two months after the vehicle’s U.S. debut. The Model 3 Standard still delivers more than 300 miles (480 km) of range, potentially making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Tesla’s pricing strategy
The Model 3 Standard arrives as Tesla contends with declining registrations in several countries across Europe, where sales have not fully offset shifting consumer preferences. Many buyers have turned to options such as Volkswagen’s ID.3 and BYD’s Atto 3, both of which have benefited from aggressive pricing.
By removing select premium finishes and features, Tesla positioned the new Model 3 Standard as an “ultra-low cost of ownership” option of its all-electric sedan. Pricing comes in at €37,970 in Germany, NOK 330,056 in Norway, and SEK 449,990 in Sweden, depending on market. This places the Model 3 Standard well below the “premium” Model 3 trim, which starts at €45,970 in Germany.
Deliveries for the Standard model are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, giving Tesla an entry-level foothold in a segment that’s increasingly defined by sub-€40,000 offerings.
Tesla’s affordable vehicle push
The low-cost Model 3 follows October’s launch of a similarly positioned Model Y variant, signaling a broader shift in Tesla’s product strategy. While CEO Elon Musk has moved the company toward AI-driven initiatives such as robotaxis and humanoid robots, lower-priced vehicles remain necessary to support the company’s revenue in the near term.
Reports have indicated that Tesla previously abandoned plans for an all-new $25,000 EV, with the company opting to create cheaper versions of existing platforms instead. Analysts have flagged possible cannibalization of higher-margin models, but the move aims to counter an influx of aggressively priced entrants from China and Europe, many of which sell below $30,000. With the new Model 3 Standard, Tesla is reinforcing its volume strategy in Europe’s increasingly competitive EV landscape.
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Tesla FSD (Supervised) stuns Germany’s biggest car magazine
FSD Supervised recognized construction zones, braked early for pedestrians, and yielded politely on narrow streets.
Tesla’s upcoming FSD Supervised system, set for a European debut pending regulatory approval, is showing notably refined behavior in real-world testing, including construction zones, pedestrian detection, and lane changes, as per a recent demonstration ride in Berlin.
While the system still required driver oversight, its smooth braking, steering, and decision-making illustrated how far Tesla’s driver-assistance technology has advanced ahead of a potential 2026 rollout.
FSD’s maturity in dense city driving
During the Berlin test ride with Auto Bild, Germany’s largest automotive publication, a Tesla Model 3 running FSD handled complex traffic with minimal intervention, autonomously managing braking, acceleration, steering, and overtaking up to 140 km/h. It recognized construction zones, braked early for pedestrians, and yielded politely on narrow streets.
Only one manual override was required when the system misread a converted one-way route, an example, Tesla stated, of the continuous learning baked into its vision-based architecture.
Robin Hornig of Auto Bild summed up his experience with FSD Supervised with a glowing review of the system. As per the reporter, FSD Supervised already exceeds humans with its all-around vision. “Tesla FSD Supervised sees more than I do. It doesn’t get distracted and never gets tired. I like to think I’m a good driver, but I can’t match this system’s all-around vision. It’s at its best when both work together: my experience and the Tesla’s constant attention,” the journalist wrote.
Tesla FSD in Europe
FSD Supervised is still a driver-assistance system rather than autonomous driving. Still, Auto Bild noted that Tesla’s 360-degree camera suite, constant monitoring, and high computing power mark a sizable leap from earlier iterations. Already active in the U.S., China, and several other regions, the system is currently navigating Europe’s approval pipeline. Tesla has applied for an exemption in the Netherlands, aiming to launch the feature through a free software update as early as February 2026.
What Tesla demonstrated in Berlin mirrors capabilities already common in China and the U.S., where rival automakers have rolled out hands-free or city-navigation systems. Europe, however, remains behind due to a stricter certification environment, though Tesla is currently hard at work pushing for FSD Supervised’s approval in several countries in the region.
Man credits Grok AI with saving his life after ER missed near-ruptured appendix
Tesla expands Model 3 lineup in Europe with most affordable variant yet
