Tesla is reportedly in talks to purchase a start-up firm in Germany that specializes in wireless charging technology. The move could end up adding just one more way for Tesla customers to fill their batteries at home. Driving over a wireless charging pad is certainly more practical than Tesla’s past idea about hooking up without involving a human.
According to numerous sources, Tesla is in talks or might have already purchased the small company Wiferion from Freiburg, Germany. Established in 2016, Wiferion builds wireless charging pads for electric vehicles and for robots and has been selling products since 2018. Tesla has been working on a wireless charging solution for its cars but has yet to put anything into production.
The marrying of the two companies could provide a turnkey solution for Tesla and fast-track production for consumers. Back in March of this year, Tesla unveiled what its diner would look like and just so happened to subtly hint in the same photo that a wireless charging pad was in the works.
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While there’s no official word from Wiferion or Tesla at this point, Business Insider reports that a filing confirms the deal or at least the interest. A commercial register document says “The shareholders (Of Wiferion) intend to sell their shares in the company to Tesla International BV by means of a purchase agreement.”
Of course, all of this brings back memories of Tesla’s automated charging snake robot. At the time, the intent was that a driver could roll into their garage and that a snake-shaped robot that doubled as the charging cord itself would locate and then plug itself into the car properly. It wouldn’t need any human intervention but it’s obviously much more complicated than having the car simply sit above a wireless induction pad.
It’s worth noting that physically plugging the car into a charger would likely add power back to the battery much more quickly than simply parking over a wireless charging pad. Nevertheless, the convenience might be worth the cash for Tesla at this point.
