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TeslaPatent applicationCars & transportInterest 7/10

Tesla patents system that adjusts driving based on camera visibility

Tesla has filed a patent for a method that uses machine learning to analyze images from a vehicle's cameras. The system calculates a 'visibility value' to determine how much the view is obstructed or degraded, then sends a signal to adjust the car's autonomous driving behavior accordingly.

Why it mattersThis is interesting because it adds a specific safety layer that monitors the quality of the car's own 'eyes' rather than just what they see, potentially helping the vehicle react to dirty lenses or bad weather.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and methods for fail-safe corrective actions based on vision information for autonomous driving. An example method is implemented by a processor system included in a vehicle, with the method comprising obtaining images from image sensors positioned about the vehicle. Visibility information is determined for at least a portion of the images. Adjustment of operation of an autonomous vehicle is caused based on the visibility information.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: retrieving, by at least one processor, image data from a sensor of a vehicle; executing, by the at least one processor, a machine learning model to determine a visibility value for at least a portion of the image data, the visibility value corresponding to a degree of visibility loss associated with at least the portion of the image data; and providing, by the at least one processor, a control signal to cause an adjustment of operation of the vehicle based on the visibility value.

Facts

Company
Tesla (TESLA, INC.)
Official title
FAIL-SAFE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS BASED ON VISION INFORMATION FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
Publication number
US20260274304A1
Application number
19648542
Filed
Apr 15, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
5
Claims
20

Classified under

B60W 60/00182 Operations & transportG06V 20/56 Physics & computingB60W 2420/403 Operations & transportB60W 2555/20 Operations & transport
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.