Google patent shows way for self-driving cars to communicate

Google appears to be working on technology to allow its self-driving cars to communicate with other road users. By giving signals, for example, pedestrians could be informed of the intentions of the car.

The patent in question was granted by the US patent office USPTO and has been numbered 9,196,164. That’s what The Washington Post discovered; Google itself has not yet released anything about the technology in the media. The technology described in the patent and the accompanying images indicate that Google is thinking about placing information signs on the front and sides of its self-driving cars.

These screens are intended to provide fellow road users, who appear to be mainly pedestrians, with information about what the self-driving car is planning to do. For example, the sign can indicate that it is safe to cross in front of the car. The possibility is also mentioned to have it pronounced via a speaker what the car is planning, or to make gestures with a robot hand. The technology seems to be especially useful at busy intersections, where it can be unclear who is giving or taking the right of way.

Because it concerns a patent, it is not yet clear whether Google will actually incorporate the technology shown in its self-driving cars; not all patented techniques are ultimately incorporated into products. Google’s self-driving cars have already driven more than a million miles without causing an accident, but recently a car was stopped for driving too slowly.

The Washington Post also points out that Google was awarded a patent this week to unlock a self-driving car. This can be done with Bluetooth, for example, and can be used if the self-driving car functions as a taxi. With this technology, it can therefore be ensured that the customer who has rented the taxi can actually get in.