It is pointed out that the reason why Tesla's automatic wipers do not work properly is due to the 'camera-focused' policy



Many modern cars are equipped with an automatic wiper function that detects raindrops on the windshield and operates them, but it has been pointed out that the automatic wiper function of Tesla cars is poor in performance. Not a Tesla App, a web media that covers Tesla-related topics, explained why the automatic wiper function of Tesla cars does not work well and why the problem is difficult to fix.

Tesla Auto Wipers: Why They Don't Work and Why There Isn't an Easy Fix

https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/2045/tesla-auto-wipers-why-they-dont-work-and-why-there-isnt-an-easy-fix

The main reason why the automatic wiper function of Tesla cars does not work properly is that 'Tesla cars do not have rain detection sensors that many other cars equipped with automatic wipers have. Tesla has indicated a policy of removing various sensors attached to the car and instead detecting various conditions and surrounding environments with image recognition by cameras, and as part of this, the rain detection sensor has been eliminated.

While Tesla's camera-focused approach has worked well in many areas, attempts to replace raindrop detection sensors with cameras have failed. Tesla cars have three cameras that look at the windshield, but these are not meant to see the windshield, but rather to capture the road and surrounding environment in front of it. As a result, only a small part of the windshield is visible and the focus is blurred, making it difficult to recognize that there are raindrops on it, according to Not a Tesla App.

In fact, Not a Tesla App conducted an experiment in which they stuck a large number of sticky notes on the windshield of a Tesla car to see what it looked like from the Tesla car's camera.



Here's what the wide-angle camera looks like when facing forward: You can't see any of the blue notes stuck to the windshield, and you can just barely make out a yellow note stuck to the rearview mirror.



Looking at the image from the main camera, all you can see is a yellow sticky note at the bottom. Also, the other camera is a zoomed version of the main camera, so it cannot see anything that the main camera does not see. In other words, the Tesla car's camera can only see a part of the windshield around the rearview mirror, and cannot see anything in front of the driver or passenger seat.



Therefore, even if it rains, the automatic wiper function will not be turned on unless there are clear raindrops around the rearview mirror. Also, Not a Tesla App points out that the wipers will not react if there is snow piled up in front of the windshield, juice or other liquids are splashed on it, or if an insect hits it.

Tesla is naturally aware of this problem, but is reluctant to adopt solutions such as 'equipping rain sensors'. The reason is that the solution of 'adding one device to solve one problem' increases manufacturing complexity and costs and reduces compatibility between models,' says Not a Tesla App.

Not a Tesla App points out that while the automatic wiper function of Tesla cars may be improved with software, it will be difficult to solve the problem with the camera function installed in existing vehicles. In the future, Tesla may either modify the camera hardware to capture the front of the windshield, or evolve the self-driving function so that wipers are not necessary, Not a Tesla App says.

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in Ride, Posted by log1h_ik