Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. A newly granted patent (number 11,104.267) for shows that a self-driving vehicle might have multiple screens and displays. It would ones to tell other drivers what actions it’s about to take, especially when it comes to braking. The patent is dubbed “exterior lighting and warning system.”
About the patent
The patent relates generally to systems that generate warnings, and, more particularly, warnings such as brake light warnings for vehicles. In the patent filing, Apple says that, although existing systems for informing following vehicles of braking status can be satisfactory in normal driving conditions, whats’ needed is to provide additional brake status information and additional warnings in many situations. The tech giant wants an Apple Car to provide improved brake lighting and warning systems.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “A vehicle may have vehicle controls that are used in steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle. The vehicle may have sensors that gather information on vehicle speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed between the vehicle and a following vehicle, information on risks of a collision between a vehicle and an external object, and other vehicle status information and vehicle operating environment information.
“Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display braking information, information on vehicle speed, the relative speed between a vehicle and a following vehicle, autonomous driving mode status information, custom brake light information or other user-selected information, or other information on vehicle status and the operating environment of a vehicle.”
When might we see an Apple Car?
The status of an Apple auto is unclear. On June 2, Bloomberg reported that Apple has lost “several” top managers from its “Apple Car” project. Here’s what the report says: Apple Inc. has lost multiple top managers of its self-driving car team in recent months, a sign of attrition at the division involved in what could become an important future product.
If an Apple Car ever arrives, it probably won’t arrive until 2024 at the earliest. In fact, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn’t expect it until at least 2025.The accompanying graphic illustrates a vehicle comprising a transparent surface which provides an augmented reality display that modifies occupant-perceived information presented by a sign located in the external environment.
