Tesla has made a lot of innovations over the years, but it may be about to tackle one the mostenduring automotive features: the windshield wiper.

In a patent application reported on by Road and Track, the automaker describes a very different way to power wipers. Instead of using simple recirculating electric motors, Teslas design mounts the wiper arms to electromagnetic guide rails that can operate more efficiently thanks to reduced friction and allows the wipers to cover more of the window by creating an altered sweep.

As with many patents, theres no indication as to when or if the design will make it into production, but the description mentions how increasingly complex glass shapes will require new solutions.

For instance, a prototype for Teslas upcoming Roadster sports car was equipped with a single large blade attached to a central pivot point via two arms that appear to provide it with a complex sweeping motion. However, it doesnt appear to be able to stow away, which would likely be a detriment to the vehicles aerodynamics, while the electromagnetic setup is designed to hide away under bodywork when not in use.

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Tesla has reinvented the windshield wiper in new patent - Fox News