Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has filed for a patent (number 20210387568) for an exterior lighting and warning system for a vehicle.
About the patent filing
As Apple points out in the patent filing — and as everyone knows — vehicles such as automobiles have brake lights. When a driver brakes to slow a vehicle, the brake lights are activated. The brake lights are mounted on the rear of the vehicle, so the driver a following vehicle can be informed about the braking status of the vehicle. Some vehicles have brake lights that flash under hard braking to warn following vehicles.
However, Apple says that, although existing systems for informing following vehicles of braking status can be satisfactory in normal driving conditions, the company wants to equip its vehicle with improved brake lighting and warning systems. For example, the patent filing involves exterior light systems that would provide 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. This info could also be provided using audio output devices, wireless circuitry that transmits warning messages, and other output devices in a vehicle.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “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?
On. Nov. 18, Bloomberg reported that Apple is accelerating development on its “Apple Car.” The article says the electric vehicle will be self-driving and could roll out in 2025.
What’s more, in a note to clients — as noted by AppleInsider — investment bank Wedbush says Apple is likely to announce a strategic electric vehicle partnership in 2022 to lay the groundwork for an “Apple Car” release in 2025.
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