Self-driving Cars Coming Soon

If, for example, the external loudspeaker concept laid out in the patent is added to the car’s design, the vehicle will be able to bark out amplified alerts, like “safe to cross” and “coming through”.

On Nov. 24, Google secured a patent for a system that will enable self-driving cars to inform pedestrians of their intentions and signal when its safe to cross in front of the vehicle. Google thinks it has the solution. The document also suggests the addition of robotic eyes on the exterior of the auto that could let pedestrians know the vehicle “sees” them.

“The vehicle may include sensors which detect an object such as a pedestrian attempting or about to cross the roadway in front of the vehicle”, the patent says (PDF).

In one case, a Google self-driving vehicle was even pulled off the road and given a ticket for being too slow. But it doe indicate the ideas are something the company may be thinking about as self-driving cars come closer to everyday reality.

“For example, the vehicle may include a physical signalling device, an electronic sign or lights, a speaker for providing audible notifications”. Then again, the way the auto interacts with people will be one way automakers differentiate their product – and overbearing warnings may sour potential buyers.

Google isn’t the only one working on self-driving auto technology of course, and at this stage all the major manufacturers are busy trying to refine software and hardware to get us from A to B in the future. Ford CEO, Mr. Mark Fields, plus Tesla representatives, also confirmed their autonomous vehicle projects will develop a more aggressive stance in traffic while keeping safety as the main focus.

The patent goes over how self-driving cars would identify whether a person on foot is going to cross a street and then how the vehicle would react. Even more impressive is the use of a robotic hand or eye to give out gestures. Though it would not be a driverless auto, it would obviously be a big step toward bringing such a vehicle onto the road.