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Tesla's Creepy 'Solid Metal Snake' Robotic Charger Slithers Its Way Into Model S

Posted by timothy on from the well-there's-an-image-for-you dept.

bigwophh writes: Last year, Elon Musk hinted at a new product that Tesla Motors was working on in its research lab. What Musk described seemed creepy at the time, especially considering that he had just recently shown off "The D" at an evening press event. "By the way, we are actually working on a charger that automatically moves out from the wall and connects like a solid metal snake," said Musk. We didn't think much else about this intriguing contraption given the precious little details that Musk provided at the time. But fast forward seven months and we now have video of the serpent-like charger in action.

109 comments

  1. Whoa. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Tenticle porn

    1. Re:Whoa. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tenticle porn

      Really. I don't think vehicle charging is the killer app for this technology. Elon is not thinking outside the box ... or maybe he isn't thinking inside the box.

    2. Re:Whoa. by willworkforbeer · · Score: 4, Funny

      Tenticle porn

      Slashdot. Nudes for Nerds, Stiff that matters.

      --
      Pretending this is my office full of bitter coworkers..
    3. Re:Whoa. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Demon Seed - The movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075931/

    4. Re: Whoa. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The robot arm in that film was a peculiar futuristic structure (made of tetrahedrons?) just like this one. Come back in 10 years and it will be as fast and smart as one of those the aliens often have.

      There won't be a better version of Julie Christie though.

  2. Cue the video going viral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sex sells. Even weird metal tentacle things.

    1. Re: Cue the video going viral by binarylarry · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sex Cells.

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      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
    2. Re:Cue the video going viral by steelfood · · Score: 2

      Cue hack to create slow-motion tentacle porn in 5, 4, 3, ...

      You don't even need to modify the hardware to make it serviceable.

      --
      "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
    3. Re: Cue the video going viral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      LOL! That's really funny, Larry! You're referring to sperm and ova! That's funny, Larry! Ovaries! LOL! Testes! LOL! Fallopian tubes! LOL! Penis! LOL! Vas deferens! LOL! Uterus! LOL!

    4. Re: Cue the video going viral by binarylarry · · Score: 1

      Actually it was more like batteries, you dolt.

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    5. Re: Cue the video going viral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      dont worry...some of us got it

    6. Re:Cue the video going viral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Uh... You might want to remove the 10kW power feed.

    7. Re: Cue the video going viral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No no no keep it in there, that'll make it better!

  3. Sounds creepy? by kbs · · Score: 2

    It is creepy. All it needs is a squid head and about 7 more arms and it's something out of the Matrix.

    --
    yours,
    kbs
    1. Re:Sounds creepy? by binarylarry · · Score: 1

      Good morning, owner.

      You really know, how to turn ME on.

      --
      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
  4. Solid Metal Snake? by Speck'sBacon · · Score: 5, Funny

    GAME OVER "Snake?! Snaaaaaaaaaaaake!"

    1. Re:Solid Metal Snake? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  5. It does not creep by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 0

    Creeping means slithering on the ground. It is not slithering on the ground. It sort of moves like a snake coming out a basket.

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
    1. Re:It does not creep by ClickOnThis · · Score: 2

      It doesn't have to creep to be creepy.

      From The Free Dictionary:

      creep-y (krp)
      adj. creep-i-er, creep-i-est Informal
      1. Of or producing a sensation of uneasiness or fear, as of things crawling on one's skin: a creepy feeling; a creepy story.
      2. Annoyingly unpleasant; repulsive: the creepy kids next door.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    2. Re:It does not creep by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      English not your strong point, eh?

    3. Re:It does not creep by mwvdlee · · Score: 1

      Somehow you sounded disappointed.

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  6. I don't like spiders and snakes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and there I was, sitting on that sack of seeds.

    Yours
    Jim 'Wildwood' Weed

    1. Re:I don't like spiders and snakes by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      For you kids in the crowd: Spiders & Snakes and Wildwood Weed.

      The AC is mixing his metaphors.

  7. Rule 34 by dmomo · · Score: 1

    ... or that video must be a fake.

    1. Re:Rule 34 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That video IS the porn.

    2. Re:Rule 34 by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I'm reminded of a classic porn text from the golden age of USENET about someone stealing an ED-209, attaching a big dildo to it, and shooting an adult film. Hack-a-day in 3...2...1...

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re: Rule 34 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Inception 34: The porn IS the porn.

    4. Re:Rule 34 by MadMaverick9 · · Score: 1

      What video ??? The article has a YouTube video about "The Abyss scene". And that's it. Completely and utterly useless!!

      @bigwophh - Next time you write a summary and article add some good and useful links!! For crying out loud!!

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... (My favorite)

      And Tesla needs to learn to add some proper background music to their videos.

    5. Re:Rule 34 by eam · · Score: 1

      The video in the linked article?

      Look for the line: "Charger prototype finding its way to Model S." It's the link to the right. Not the most clear it could have been, but it was there.

  8. This is DEMON SEED by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075931/

    A scientist creates Proteus--an organic super computer with artificial intelligence which becomes obsessed with human beings, and in particular the creators wife.

    Taglines Never was a woman violated as profanely... Never was a woman subject to inhuman love like this... Never was a woman prepared for a more perverse destiny...

  9. Creepy? by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

    Creepy, sexy, whatever.

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  10. Does it look like a penis to you, too? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think it looks like a penis. Does anybody else think this, too?

    1. Re:Does it look like a penis to you, too? by davester666 · · Score: 1

      It'll ship with a vibrator attachment.

      "Honey, I need to go out to the garage and check the car..."

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  11. Pricey by jimmifett · · Score: 0

    Why not just save several thousands dollars and walk the cord over and plugin yourself.
    Then again, I wouldn't be throwing money away on a crappy tesla in the first place. Dino Juice rules! (Not to be confused with Metal Tunnel Snakes, definitely not a hair band)

    1. Re:Pricey by TsuruchiBrian · · Score: 2

      Why not just save tens of thousands of dollars and get a Carolla.

    2. Re:Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can buy an Adam Carolla for less than a Tesla Model S? Hmmm.

    3. Re:Pricey by willworkforbeer · · Score: 1

      Why not just save tens of thousands of dollars and get a Carolla.

      He's apparently not for sale, but you make a fair point... buying Carolla would be cheaper than a Tesla. http://adamcarolla.com/

      --
      Pretending this is my office full of bitter coworkers..
    4. Re:Pricey by TsuruchiBrian · · Score: 1

      Freudian slips aside, my point is that if you are already willing to buy a Tesla, you probably want a big metal dick, I mean snake, I mean charger.

    5. Re:Pricey by tsotha · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Ultimately the advantage of something like this is better charge times. If you wanted to charge a Tesla in five or ten minutes you'd need a cable that's too heavy and unwieldy for manual use.

    6. Re:Pricey by Kjella · · Score: 1

      Why not just save several thousands dollars and walk the cord over and plugin yourself.

      So since no actual price has been announced I assume you're trolling?

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    7. Re:Pricey by AaronW · · Score: 2

      I have a Tesla model S. It takes me under 5 seconds to plug it in and 5 seconds to unplug. I just push a button on the end of the cord and the rear reflector opens and I just plug it in. The connector itself is extremely well designed, one of the easiest connectors to plug in due to the funnel-like design so you don't have to line it up exactly before shoving it in and it locks in place. To unplug, just push a button on the plug and pull.

      People keep saying it takes too long to charge. Bullcrap. It charges while I sleep and I spend a lot less time plugging and unplugging the car than I did filling my gas car.

      The only use I see for this is marketing and for people who have more money than sense, although it might prove to be quite popular in Japan. This could be somewhat useful for superchargers that are not covered with solar panels since you won't have to leave the car at all, although in my case I usually get out and grab something to eat with the money not spent on gas to return to a fully charged car. Every time I stop the car is usually ready to go before I am.

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    8. Re:Pricey by beelsebob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The use for this is clearly not for you but for the car. Once the car is self driving, this will allow it to run off down the street, find a charging station, and plug itself in while it waits for you to need it again.

    9. Re:Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

      The point isn't the negligible effort saved in plugging in the charger when you're around. Consider it a big step forward to having a self-parking vehicle that can charge itself when you're *not* around.

      Pull up to your door, get out, unload the groceries, and then have your car park and charge itself. Or imagine a scenario, a few years and several legal and technical hurdles down the line, where you drive yourself to the office and have your car return home, charge itself, and be ready to pick you up at the end of your workday.

    10. Re:Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then again, I wouldn't be throwing money away on a crappy tesla in the first place.

      Of course not, Mr. Fox. You never really wanted those grapes. They're obviously sour, right?

    11. Re: Pricey by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      Good point. I had not thought about that.but it makes sense for taxis.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    12. Re:Pricey by Ost99 · · Score: 1

      I guess this would be most useful for potential next-gen superchargers with really thick cables (400V, 1000A?).

      --
      ---- Sig. gone.
    13. Re: Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm waiting on superconducting cables. That would give the fastest possible charge times, and only a very thin cable (and insulation). Given you only charge the car for a short time, keeping the cable cold shouldn't be too much of a problem.

    14. Re:Pricey by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

      Freudian slips aside, my point is that if you are already willing to buy a Tesla, you probably want a big metal dick, I mean snake, I mean charger.

      Brings new meaning to the term "penis extension."

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    15. Re:Pricey by pushing-robot · · Score: 1

      Why not just save several thousands dollars and walk the cord over and plugin yourself

      Yeah, yeah, bulky cables blah blah. The real reason is there were robotic gas/hydrogen/fusion stations in BTTF2, so get with the program we have to build it because 2015 is a theme year

      Now if you'll excuse me, the Ayatollah wants to take my order.

      --
      How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    16. Re:Pricey by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

      buying Carolla would be cheaper than a Tesla.

      Your link does not make that clear, but this one does.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    17. Re: Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      superconducting wire is fairly brittle, and unless the car has superconductors inside of it also, you're going to have problems keeping the temperature down where the superconducting material meets the regular conductor. Also you would add in all sorts of complications with refrigeration equipment that would have to be added at the charging stations, a constant power draw.

    18. Re:Pricey by stephanruby · · Score: 2

      The use for this is clearly not for your car, but for the lazy impatient passenger-owner of the car. Once charging stations become self-driving, they will catch up to self-driving cars, and plug themselves in to charge them while those self-driving cars are still going around the block indefinitely because their lazy impatient passenger-owners told their self-driving cars not to park too far (in a place that is almost impossible to find parking) and to be ready to pick them up at a moment's notice.

    19. Re:Pricey by dixonpete · · Score: 1

      Dunno, I think it's a way cool idea. It's not that plugging in the charger takes any time. It's just that it's one more thing you have to remember to do in your day. Tesla is trying to make charging effortless. Presumably it will only charge when the time is appropriate and to the level desired and will slither away when it's done. It's a beautiful thing.

    20. Re:Pricey by jimmifett · · Score: 1

      Nah, Teslas don't work for me. I commute 60 miles to work, none of it down town driving, and there are no recharging stations near anywhere i'd be traveling, nor would it be profitable to have one along the route. Most convenient form of energy transference, Dino Juice.

    21. Re:Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wait, how much does hookers and blow cost?

    22. Re:Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So the Tesla "doesn't work" for you because you can only do your daily round-trip twice without recharging it overnight while you sleep?

    23. Re: Pricey by ceoyoyo · · Score: 1

      A superconducting cable with insulation and cryogenic cooling would most certainly be unwieldily.

    24. Re:Pricey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you consider a Toyota Corolla to be an adequate substitute for a Tesla Model S, then you never would have purchased a Tesla anyways.

      If you consider Adam Carolla to be an adequate substitute for a Tesla Model S, you are likely using one of them wrong.

    25. Re:Pricey by Firethorn · · Score: 1

      Nah, Teslas don't work for me. I commute 60 miles to work, none of it down town driving, and there are no recharging stations near anywhere i'd be traveling, nor would it be profitable to have one along the route. Most convenient form of energy transference, Dino Juice.

      You said enough to say that you're not a good fit for a leaf and other short range EVs, but you said NOTHING that disqualifies you from using a Tesla.
      1. 60 mile commute, no city driving: Not within a leaf's range, but easily within a Tesla's. You could recharge every other day or so, as a matter of fact.
      2. No recharging stations where you travel: Unspecific, but Tesla keeps building more supercharge stations. And technically speaking, with the Tesla there actually probably ARE charging stations 'near anywhere' you'd be traveling. One of the adapter plugs they give you with the car is compatible with RV plugins. Is there an RV park near where you're going? Then you have a charging station. Even if you go camping those are generally 'all over'.
      3. Profitable - Tesla isn't charging for using it's stations.

      --
      I don't read AC A human right
    26. Re:Pricey by jimmifett · · Score: 1

      1) If i could guarantee 150 miles per day at 70mph minimum (speed limit is 70), that would cover my commute. Driving with a bunch of batteries, waiting to get rear ended however, not looking forward to, but a minor concern.

      2) No RV stations, and no place to charge at my destination. If I'm low on juice at my destination, I'm screwed and can't get home. I can buy gas within 5 minutes of any point along my route. Thieves are also common in my city, so having a plug outside the home is an invitation to be robbed, if just for the plug's metal alone, plus if I can afford a tesla, what other expensive goodies are in my house.

      3) If tesla isn't charging, who is paying for the electricity? Electricity ain't cheap here, esp during the summer. What motivation is there for third parties to install chargers at existing stations if it brings in zero revenue. What is the charging time? It already takes 90 minutes to get to work, I can't wait another 30 on the road to charge up if some damn prankster kid unplugged me over night.

    27. Re:Pricey by AaronW · · Score: 1

      Even when I forget I usually still have plenty of range since my commute is around 45 miles per day. It's not like a Leaf or the other low-range EVs. It certainly does look cool. I use their wall charger, which also looks cool. It's quite small compared to most of the EV chargers I've seen, especially considering it handles far more current than most of them (80A). The funny thing is that the local code requires a shut-off within 3-feet and the shut-off box is about 3 times as big as the charger! So far I haven't found a smaller 100A shut-off.

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      This post is encrypted twice with ROT-13. Documenting or attempting to crack this encryption is illegal.
  12. "Creepy" not "creeping" by jklovanc · · Score: 2

    Nowhere in the summary or article does it use tthe word "creeping". It says "creepy" in the context of producing a sensation of uneasiness or fear.

  13. ER by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I wonder how ER personnel will call the incidents where people "misuse" that thing ...

    1. Re:ER by rogoshen1 · · Score: 1

      That would be a shocking misuse of the charging apparatus.

  14. Economics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is this supposed to be cheaper than a standard-type robot arm, the kind that has 2-3 pivot points?

    This looks like something out of a movie---a cool-looking solution whose economics are utterly obliterated in the real world by more prosaic solutions...

    1. Re:Economics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It might be designed to allow for gentler curve radii on the wire, which could be needed for really thick high current wires.

  15. Obviously, not everyone will buy one... by tlambert · · Score: 4, Funny

    Obviously, not everyone will buy one... for example, I can't see Indiana Jones owning one.

  16. In other entertainment news.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    How many snakes would you need to charge an electric plane?

    1. Re:In other entertainment news.... by TeknoHog · · Score: 1

      The same as the number of (electric) eels to charge a hovercraft, plus interest from the Monty Python skit to the movie.

      --
      Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
    2. Re:In other entertainment news.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Depends. Are they monkey-fighting snakes on a Monday to Friday plane?

  17. Seems kind of slow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I presume an actual human can plug in the charger in a few seconds. But again, I guess this is being built for the case where there is no actual human (i.e. autonomous car "goes away" to charge itself up while you aren't there).

    1. Re:Seems kind of slow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you're going to be charging for a few hours (presuming a home charge overnight), a few extra seconds to get plugged in doesn't matter. This will eliminate an annoyance: you can just park your car in your garage and get out, and you won't have to remember to plug it in: the car will charge itself automatically.

    2. Re:Seems kind of slow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I have seen car charging spaces oversubscribed. It is a chore for the electric car drivers to have to go move their car into a space when a space becomes available. This is really lousy when the car charging spaces are far away from where they work, and if the weather is bad. It does not make sense for the store/company to install chargers at every parking space, as it is wasteful.

      However, I don't think this tentacle charger is really for those who own the car. Here is an article that suggests the reason why Tesla would do autonomous cars:

      http://jalopnik.com/musk-s-deafening-silence-during-tesla-earnings-call-spe-1722577227

      A couple months back Uber exec Steve Jurvetson made the offhand comment that if Tesla made 500,000 autonomous cars by 2020, the ride-hailing service would buy every single one. The internet had a laugh and the world moved on.

      During the call, a financial analyst asked if that was something Tesla would consider or “does Tesla just cut out the middle man and sell on-demand electric mobility services directly from the company on its own platform.”

      After an achingly long six seconds, Musk responded, “that’s an insightful question.” Followed by “I don’t think I should answer it.”

      So, you can have uber without the uber drivers.

  18. Exchangeable battery bays... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...are what we need! You get to the charge station and you pull out the spent batteries and push a new set into a bay somewhere in the car's fuselage [like a drawer]. That would be faster than fueling with gasoline. How come nobody is thinking like me? I know I'm a genius, but still..

    1. Re: Exchangeable battery bays... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://youtu.be/H5V0vL3nnHY

    2. Re: Exchangeable battery bays... by WindBourne · · Score: 1

      Hey idiot; Tesla already has that done. 90 second exchange. But ppl do not want that. It is way too expensive. Like buying a tank of gas.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    3. Re: Exchangeable battery bays... by Firethorn · · Score: 1

      He also neglected to consider the weight involved. Moving so much as my truck's battery is a pain. Moving an EV battery requires equipment.

      --
      I don't read AC A human right
  19. u stikked ur dik in crasy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    dont stik ur dik in crezy

  20. From science fiction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There was an Andre Norton story many, many years ago about an unmanned space port with a snake-like refueling hose that crawled out of a building and attached itself to a waiting ship. It also had a bipedal robot that came along and stood by while fueling. Galactic Derelict! Not bad, actually.

  21. The fist case in history by Snufu · · Score: 1

    where being fast is preferred.

  22. Comment seen on hothardware by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

    "I think the real question on everyone's mind is what happens when a Japanese school girl walks by this thing?" - DinkumThinkum

  23. Two words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Robocop 2

  24. I don't know if this is such a good idea by Krishnoid · · Score: 1

    By the way, we are actually working on a charger that automatically moves out from the wall and connects like a solid metal snake

    I suspect this might not end well.

  25. Will it also update Firmware at the same time ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Kinda nice for Canadian Winter... would be nice if it could be used for Gas too...

    1. Re:Will it also update Firmware at the same time ? by sims+2 · · Score: 1

      Is there any reason it can't? Other than it being a fire hazard? I assume its electricly driven not pneumatic.

      It should be reasonably safe for diesel as is.

      --
      Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
  26. Sex Toy by trabby · · Score: 1

    It looks like a sex toy for a terminator

  27. They're showing off by thisisauniqueid · · Score: 1

    Tesla charge ports are always in the same position (at least for now, when there's basically one mainstream model). They don't need to solve such a complex controller problem (with this many degrees of freedom) to plug in the charger. They're just doing it because they can...

    1. Re:They're showing off by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The roadster and the Model S have the charge port in the same position? Will the Model X? What about the 30-40K sedan that's in the works?

  28. When will this be available for laptops? by sims+2 · · Score: 1

    Get to work, set laptop on desk and when I get done with everything else the laptop is already plugged in.

    Cellphones too! all the convince of wireless charging with none of the downsides!

    --
    Minimum threshold fixed. Thanks!
  29. SRL Did it bigger... by jimmydigital · · Score: 1

    Behold the Spine!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    --
    Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. -HLM
  30. Wireless Charging by organgtool · · Score: 1

    Wireless charging would be much more convenient but I imagine it can't charge the car as quickly as a Tesla charging cable.

  31. cool? by floodo1 · · Score: 1

    what exactly is cool about this?

    --
    I KUT J00 M4NG!!!
    1. Re:cool? by Required+Snark · · Score: 1

      So you can do that? With what part of your body? And how long does it take to charge? (I bet under 5 seconds...)

      --
      Why is Snark Required?
  32. Sorry, butt... by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    "I wouldn't stand there in a short skirt, Virginia. You might be in for a helluva shock."

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  33. That's not a snake... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    *This* is a snake...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocyhbij9JYQ

  34. This is creepy? by GrumpySteen · · Score: 1

    Don't go to the zoo. The elephants' trunks will have you peeing yourself from fright.

  35. The Nozzle (Venture Bros) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Moving while The Nozzle is "Engaging" will disrupt calibration of The Nozzle.
    Looking away from The Nozzle will disrupt calibration of The Nozzle.
    Moving or looking away from The Nozzle while "Calibrating" will disrupt calibration of The Nozzle.
    Moving or looking away from The Nozzle while "Still Calibrating" will disrupt calibration of The Nozzle

  36. Re: You can give this card a try and be rich by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Go away FBI, and stop cheating by making your own criminals and start actually investigating.

  37. Re:You can give this card a try and be rich by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    do the needful

    Nice English, spammer.

  38. I'd totally buy an electric car except... by sirwired · · Score: 1

    "I'd totally buy an electric car tomorrow if not for the herculean task of lifting a cord and plugging it in all by myself." - Said Nobody Ever.

    1. Re:I'd totally buy an electric car except... by Firethorn · · Score: 1

      It's not especially for drivers. It's for autonomous cars. IE your tesla drops you off at the front door of your work or destination, then wanders off to a charging station. Once it's topped off, if the stalls are full and there's another EV than needs charging, it can go park itself in a non-charging spot. Then, when you're getting ready to leave, it can leave the possibly remote lot and be there to pick you up as you go.

      Or consider 'robotic' taxis. When one becomes low on charge or has free time, it hits up the charging spot on it's own.

      --
      I don't read AC A human right
  39. Model Gear!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's easy to forget what a sin is in the middle of a charging station.

  40. The D by kmoser · · Score: 1

    I thought "The D" was the nickname of the charger.

  41. Effectiveness by Firethorn · · Score: 1

    Sorry, messed up on editing - quote tags disappeared.

    1) If i could guarantee 150 miles per day at 70mph minimum (speed limit is 70), that would cover my commute.

    You're in luck, the model S has that range. Specifically, it has 225 miles@75mph.

    Rear ended: The Model S has TWO batteries, a tiny 12V one for accessories, and the big lithium-ion one that's over 7k 18650 cells. However, the big battery is unlikely to be hit, given it's location. The body of a model S is basically a skateboard with the battery attached to the bottom of the board between the wheels.

    On safety: highest marks.

    Destination: How far away is it, and does it have electricity at all? I was thinking that you camp on the weekends or something.

    Plug: Right now most Tesla owners have a garage they can pull into.
    Thieves: I might be mean, but I would laugh heartily when any metal stealing thieves manage to electrocute themselves.
    Breaking in: Home security system. Smith & Wesson is popular, but I went with the cheaper but more modern CZ. Slap a home monitoring sticker on your door/window, it should dissude most.

    On electricity: Tesla pays for the electricity, with the cost for the superchargers built into the price of the vehicle, much like how many dealers are bundling the first 2 years of oil changes and routine maintenance with their vehicles.

    Electricity not being cheap: If you don't mind, where are you, and what's your electric company? Industrial/Commerical users normally see quite a break in price. As for third parties, it's a mix of things:
    1. If they install a supercharger station Tesla pays them.
    2. If they install something else, they're allowed to charge.
    3. Loss leader to attract the normally wealthier than normal EV owners
    4. Electricity isn't actually that expensive

    Prankster kid: The charger for the tesla locks into the port when connected. You need your proximity key to unlock it. If they're bringing tools to cut the cord, well, electrocution awaits and they could just disassemble your car as is.

    Charge time: It all depends on the station. 150 miles ~ 50 kwh; With a dedicated 30A charger, you're looking at about 7 hours to reach full again. 50A or higher would be faster, of course.

    Cheapness: Look into 'off-peak' electricity. You're still looking at $15/day in gasoline(30mpg vehicle) vs $5 of electricity.

    That being said, I agree that cost is the single biggest reason to NOT get a Tesla today.

    --
    I don't read AC A human right