Google Nabs 2 More Self-Driving Car Patents
Originally published on EV Obsession.
Two new patents were recently awarded to Google that are related to its autonomous car technology, according to recent reports.
The two new patents are for: interior design elements, and for external screens and speakers. The first patent pertains mostly to the sorts of design changes that are necessary if one is to remove the interior steering wheel; and the second one pertains mostly to the sorts of systems that will be needed to improve pedestrian/bicyclist awareness of the car.
Our sister site Gas 2 provides a bit more info:
Google has also been awarded a second patent covering a variety of external screens and a speaker, all of which are intended to allow the car to interact with pedestrians and bicyclists.
The car could announce sweetly to people waiting to get to the other side of the road, “It is now safe to cross. I will wait for you.” Screens mounted on the hood and each door could also indicate to those outside the car when it is safe to cross ahead of it and when it is not, according to a report in the Washington Post.
Interesting. The pics are about what I was expecting… What I’m really wanting to know, though, is when people will be able to begin buying these.
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