Tesla Cybercab integrates Starlink V5 antenna

Tesla has unveiled its Starlink integration for the Cybercab. The setup uses the V5 antenna, a new kit that combines a compact design with performance that is almost on a par with Starlink’s V4 antenna.

Tesla Cybercab gains integrated Starlink connectivity

The Cybercab, Tesla’s first car designed specifically for autonomous driving, has not yet launched. However, when it does arrive, it is expected to feature a new connectivity component: a built-in Starlink antenna. Tesla has been known to be working on Starlink integration in its vehicles for some time, with both Tesla and SpaceX owned by Elon Musk. It is now official, and Teslarati reports that Tesla is displaying the concept in the United States.

On X, the car maker also shared a Cybercab diagram incorporating a Starlink V5 antenna. The post reveals the exact location chosen for the antenna that will provide access to the Starlink connection. In addition, the Cybercab will include a 5G LTE antenna, enabling the vehicle to use conventional mobile networks.

Starlink for entertainment in the autonomous Cybercab

As the Cybercab is an autonomous vehicle, its Starlink antenna will allow passengers to enjoy entertainment during their journeys. “Watch 4K streaming videos while Cybercab takes you wherever you want to go,” Elon Musk commented on X.

We previously also covered a patent in which Tesla outlined its solution for integrating a Starlink-type antenna into the roof. In particular, the document described “the integration of aerial electrical modules and components, including antennas, directly into the roof structure, thereby facilitating clear communication with external devices and satellites.”

Starlink V5 already demonstrates its strengths

This presentation comes one week after the official launch of Starlink V5, the new antenna currently offered in the United States to SpaceX residential customers. The new antenna is almost as small as Starlink’s Mini antenna, yet delivers peak download speeds that are nearly as high as those of the V4 antenna, which is significantly larger. In essence, it is an excellent compromise, offering both a compact format and strong performance.

The new antenna is also more energy-efficient than the V4, making it particularly well suited to integration in an electric car.