A recent image of a Tesla Cybercab engineering vehicle shows a side repeater camera with an integrated washer. The detail was captured in Peabody, Massachusetts, and could support unsupervised Full Self-Driving operations.
The photo, shared on June 17, 2026, by observer Tobias Goebel, displays a compact triangular housing on the Cybercab prototype. It includes a washer mechanism aimed at clearing rain, snow, mud, or road spray from the lens.
Tesla relies on cameras alone for its neural networks that power Full Self-Driving. Obstructed views can reduce perception confidence and trigger alerts, an issue noted by owners in poor weather.
For a Robotaxi fleet operating around the clock without a driver, the washer addresses a key reliability need. The system targets side views used for merging, lane changes, and blind-spot checks.
Early indications suggest similar cleaning hardware may appear on rear cameras as well. Production AI4 vehicles currently lack these dedicated washers.
