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Tesla patent points to battery cell improvements with clever deformation detection process
A recent patent published late August has revealed that Tesla is working on a monitoring system and apparatus that will allow the electric car maker to detect deformations in battery cells in a more effective manner.
Tesla’s patent application, titled “Apparatus and Method for Detection of Deformation in Battery Cells,” notes that battery cycle life is among the most crucial parameters to ensure optimal performance in machines such as electric vehicles and energy storage devices. Over the course of their lifetime, battery cells will be subjected to multiple charge and discharge cycles, at times in vastly varying conditions and environments.
As noted by the company in its patent application, there are instances when cells operate in an environment where the ambient temperature may intermittently surge to levels above the stable thermal temperature for normal operations. Cells could also be subjected to high charge and discharge rates and large periodic loads, which could result in significant heating, among other reactions.
Subjected to these factors, battery cells could experience several effects, such as the thickening of electrodes or the volume expansion of electrochemically active materials within the cell itself. These expansions could ultimately result in cells experiencing deformation, which could, in turn, result in both reversible and irreversible mechanical strain, as well as the potential degradation of the battery’s electrodes.
These battery cell deformations are traditionally monitored using strain gauges or optical gauges that exclusively detect and evaluate deformations at single points in a cell. Tesla noted that this system has space for improvements, since optical evaluations might not provide the correct status of deformation across the entire surface of a battery. This could result in strain and deformation measurements that are inaccurate.
With these factors in mind, Tesla has come up with a deformation detection apparatus that enables the contactless detection of deformations and/or swelling of the battery across the entire surface of the cell itself. Tesla describes the deformation detection apparatus as follows.
“A deformation detection apparatus includes a cell movement-control assembly to handle a linear motion and a rotational motion of a battery cell, a body that supports the cell movement-control assembly, a digital micrometer, and control circuitry. The control circuitry controls a displacement of the battery cell between a first position and a second position along a longitudinal axis through a scanning region of the digital micrometer and a plurality of rotational positions of the battery cell at a plurality of charge states and a plurality of discharge states. The control circuitry measures a plurality of outer diameter values of the battery cell for a plurality of linear positions and a plurality of rotational positions along the longitudinal axis of the battery cell and determines a change in a geometrical shape (deformation and/or strain) of the battery cell for the plurality of linear positions and the plurality of rotational positions.”
According to the electric car maker, the battery cell deformation monitoring process outlined in its patent will provide advantages over traditional monitoring methods.
“The disclosed apparatus, such as the apparatus 100 and method of determination of deformations in the battery cell 112 advantageously provides a contactless solution for deformation detection in the battery cells, as compared to conventional contact-based solutions. Further, instead of measuring the plurality of outer diameter values/strain values at a specific point in time, the disclosed apparatus 100 advantageously facilitates measurement of the plurality of outer diameter values/strain values at a plurality of points on the battery cell 112. The apparatus 100 enables detection of localized/non-localized deformation regions on the battery cell 112, which may exhibit signs of deformation at different charge/discharge states at different points in time.”
Tesla’s recently published patent application for its new battery cell deformation detection apparatus could be accessed in full here.
The implications of Tesla’s recent patent are notable. By adopting its deformation detection system, the company would be able to evaluate the quality of its cells and their operating limits more effectively. This could open the doors to improvements in the company’s batteries, which could, in turn, result in even more range and performance for Tesla’s electric vehicles.
Tesla holds a notable lead among automakers in terms of battery technology, as exhibited by the company’s electric vehicles’ vastly superior range compared to the competition. This is represented by Tesla’s recent “Raven” update to the 100 kWh Model X, which allowed the SUV to travel 325 miles in one charge. This is notably impressive, considering that the Audi e-tron, a smaller, lighter vehicle equipped with a 95 kWh battery pack (5% smaller than the Model X), is only EPA-rated for 204 miles per charge (38% less range than Tesla’s larger, heavier vehicle). A report from German business newspaper Wirtschaftswoche has also determined that Tesla’s batteries for the Model 3 have over four times less cobalt compared to the batteries utilized by Volkswagen today.
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Tesla’s Apple CarPlay ambitions are not dead, they’re still in the works
For what it’s worth, as a Tesla owner, I don’t particularly see the need for CarPlay, as I have found the in-car system that the company has developed to be superior. However, many people are in love with CarPlay simply because, when it’s in a car that is capable, it is really great.
Tesla’s Apple CarPlay ambitions appeared to be dead in the water after a large amount of speculation late last year that the company would add the user interface seemed to cool down after several weeks of reports.
However, it appears that CarPlay might make its way to Tesla vehicles after all, as a recent report seems to indicate that it is still being worked on by software teams for the company.
The real question is whether it is truly needed or if it is just a want by so many owners that Tesla is listening and deciding to proceed with its development.
Back in November, Bloomberg reported that Tesla was in the process of testing Apple CarPlay within its vehicles, which was a major development considering the company had resisted adopting UIs outside of its own for many years.
Nearly one-third of car buyers considered the lack of CarPlay as a deal-breaker when buying their cars, a study from McKinsey & Co. outlined. This could be a driving decision in Tesla’s inability to abandon the development of CarPlay in its vehicles, especially as it lost a major advantage that appealed to consumers last year: the $7,500 EV tax credit.
Tesla owners propose interesting theory about Apple CarPlay and EV tax credit
Although we saw little to no movement on it since the November speculation, Tesla is now reportedly in the process of still developing the user interface. Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg writer with a weekly newsletter, stated that CarPlay is “still in the works” at Tesla and that more concrete information will be available “soon” regarding its development.
While Tesla already has a very capable and widely accepted user interface, CarPlay would still be an advantage, considering many people have used it in their vehicles for years. Just like smartphones, many people get comfortable with an operating system or style and are resistant to using a new one. This could be a big reason for Tesla attempting to get it in their own cars.
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For what it’s worth, as a Tesla owner, I don’t particularly see the need for CarPlay, as I have found the in-car system that the company has developed to be superior. However, many people are in love with CarPlay simply because, when it’s in a car that is capable, it is really great.
It holds one distinct advantage over Tesla’s UI in my opinion, and that’s the ability to read and respond to text messages, which is something that is available within a Tesla, but is not as user-friendly.
With that being said, I would still give CarPlay a shot in my Tesla. I didn’t particularly enjoy it in my Bronco Sport, but that was because Ford’s software was a bit laggy with it. If it were as smooth as Tesla’s UI, which I think it would be, it could be a really great addition to the vehicle.
With the launch of a new trim level for the Model Y last night, something almost went unnoticed — the loss of a moniker that Tesla just recently added to a couple of its variants of the all-electric crossover.
Tesla launched the Model Y All-Wheel-Drive last night, competitively priced at $41,990, but void of the luxurious features that are available within the Premium trims.
Upon examination of the car, one thing was missing, and it was noticeable: Tesla dropped the use of the “Standard” moniker to identify its entry-level offerings of the Model Y.
The Standard Model Y vehicles were introduced late last year, primarily to lower the entry price after the U.S. EV tax credit changes were made. Tesla stripped some features like the panoramic glass roof, premium audio, ambient lighting, acoustic-lined glass, and some of the storage.
Last night, it simply switched the configurations away from “Standard” and simply as the Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive and Model Y All-Wheel-Drive.
There are three plausible reasons for this move, and while it is minor, there must be an answer for why Tesla chose to abandon the name, yet keep the “Premium” in its upper-level offerings.
“Standard” carried a negative connotation in marketing
Words like “Standard” can subtly imply “basic,” “bare-bones,” or “cheap” to consumers, especially when directly contrasted with “Premium” on the configurator or website. Dropping it avoids making the entry-level Model Y feel inferior or low-end, even though it’s designed for affordability.
Tesla likely wanted the base trim to sound neutral and spec-focused (e.g., just “RWD” highlights drivetrain rather than feature level), while “Premium” continues to signal desirable upgrades, encouraging upsells to higher-margin variants.
Simplifying the overall naming structure for less confusion
The initial “Standard vs. Premium” split (plus Performance) created a somewhat clunky hierarchy, especially as Tesla added more variants like Standard Long Range in some markets or the new AWD base.
Removing “Standard” streamlines things to a more straightforward progression (RWD → AWD → Premium RWD/AWD → Performance), making the lineup easier to understand at a glance. This aligns with Tesla’s history of iterative naming tweaks to reduce buyer hesitation.
Elevating brand perception and protecting perceived value
Keeping “Premium” reinforces that the bulk of the Model Y lineup (especially the popular Long Range models) remains a premium product with desirable features like better noise insulation, upgraded interiors, and tech.
Eliminating “Standard” prevents any dilution of the Tesla brand’s upscale image—particularly important in a competitive EV market—while the entry-level variants can quietly exist as accessible “RWD/AWD” options without drawing attention to them being decontented versions.
You can check out the differences between the “Standard” and “Premium” Model Y vehicles below:
@teslarati There are some BIG differences between the Tesla Model Y Standard and Tesla Model Y Premium #tesla #teslamodely ♬ Sia – Xeptemper
Elon Musk
Tesla bull sees odds rising of Tesla merger after Musk confirms SpaceX-xAI deal
Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities wrote on Tuesday that there is a growing chance Tesla could be merged in some form with SpaceX and xAI over the next 12 to 18 months.
A prominent Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) bull has stated that the odds are rising that Tesla could eventually merge with SpaceX and xAI, following Elon Musk’s confirmation that the private space company has combined with his artificial intelligence startup.
Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities wrote on Tuesday that there is a growing chance Tesla could be merged in some form with SpaceX and xAI over the next 12 to 18 months.
“In our view there is a growing chance that Tesla will eventually be merged in some form into SpaceX/xAI over time. The view is this growing AI ecosystem will focus on Space and Earth together…..and Musk will look to combine forces,” Ives wrote in a post on X.
Ives’ comments followed confirmation from Elon Musk late Monday that SpaceX has merged with xAI. Musk stated that the merger creates a vertically integrated platform that combines AI, rockets, satellite internet, communications, and real-time data.
In a post on SpaceX’s official website, Elon Musk added that the combined company is aimed at enabling space-based AI compute, stating that within two to three years, space could become the lowest-cost environment for generating AI processing power. The transaction reportedly values the combined SpaceX-xAI entity at roughly $1.25 trillion.
Tesla, for its part, has already increased its exposure to xAI, announcing a $2 billion investment in the startup last week in its Q4 and FY 2025 update letter.
While merger speculation has intensified, notable complications could emerge if SpaceX/xAI does merge with Tesla, as noted in a report from Investors Business Daily.
SpaceX holds major U.S. government contracts, including with the Department of Defense and NASA, and xAI’s Grok is being used by the U.S. Department of War. Tesla, for its part, maintains extensive operations in China through Gigafactory Shanghai and its Megapack facility.
Tesla’s Apple CarPlay ambitions are not dead, they’re still in the works
Tesla brings closure to Model Y moniker with launch of new trim level
