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The Tesla Cybertruck has been officially delayed. Even though Tesla planned to release the Cybertruck in 2021, many saw the delay coming from a distance. Now, Elon Musk and Co. at Tesla are claiming that they are taking the extra time to add another new feature to the already overpromised and undersold electric truck. 

Consumer Reports Previewed the Tesla Cybertruck
Consumer Reports Previewed the Tesla Cybertruck | Tesla

The Tesla Cybertruck is getting fancy curved windows

Tesla has promised everything from crazy speeds to a bulletproof body for the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck. There have been so many hastily lobbed features that it can be hard to keep up with everything the Cybertruck might be able to do. 

In classic Tesla fashion, the Cybertruck is officially delayed until 2022. Instead of trying to shore up production materials and tooling, Tesla has taken the opportunity to file a patent for another unnecessary but cool feature for the wild-looking EV. 

According to Road Show, Tesla filed a patent application for a glass-forming method that involves intricate curves and “feature lines.” This application suggests a more stylish and complex windshield design for the already busy and complex Cybertruck. 

If nothing else, the Tesla Cybertruck is fun

The decision to add more stuff to the already delayed and over-complicated Tesla Cybertruck seems a bit silly. That being said, Tesla is nothing if not over the top. 

Because it’s Tesla, the patent application mentions heat treatment using lasers to make the layered glass more malleable. Tesla believes the engineers can create curves with a radius of between 0.07 and 0.2 inches, to add even more flair to what is already one of the most wild-looking trucks ever to see production. As mentioned earlier, the patent also describes multiple layers of glass for more intricate designs.

Now Tesla wants to make other things out of glass, too

A Tesla Cybertruck driving around a desert track with mountains in the background.
2021 Cybertruck | Tesla

The application says that Tesla also thinks it can start adding this curved glass to more than just, you know, glass. Tesla mentioned using this patented method to create dashboards made entirely of glass. 

While this sounds not only difficult, it also sounds perilous in a crash. However, Tesla’s patent application notes a layer of film that acts as a cushion. This would, hopefully, provide durability and keep the dashboard from shattering in the event of a crash.

Patents don’t mean production

It’s important to note, just because Tesla has applied for this curved glass patent doesn’t mean it plans to actually put it into production immediately or even ever. The idea could fall apart in many ways. It could be too expensive for production or simply take too long. The other possibility is that Tesla is patenting the idea so that if anyone else wants to use it, they either need to make their own method or license the idea from Tesla. 

As with all things Tesla and Elon Musk, there is no telling what will actually get made or when. Tesla seems to keep everything fairly fluid. The important thing to note is that Tesla does have its eyes on the Cybertruck. This means that those of us who are excited about it can rest knowing that it’s getting some attention from its maker.