Apple may have canceled its Apple Car project, but the company continues to be granted patents for vehicle technology. The latest is for “user-to-vehicle interaction.”
About the patent
The patent relates generally to user-to-vehicle interaction, and more specifically to techniques for accessing a vehicle using a user device. Autonomous vehicles don’t require human drivers, so, in the patent Apple notes that, “novel techniques for interaction between a vehicle and a passenger are helpful.”
Apple’s patent involves techniques for receiving information from passengers such as setting desired destinations and/or other vehicle controls. It also involves summoning and accessing an autonomous vehicle via a transit request initiated using an electronic device, such as an iPhone. The transit request summons a vehicle towards a location of a user device.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “A transit request is initiated, which requests dispatch of a vehicle to a location of the electronic device. Information, including authentication information, is received and a communication channel is established with the vehicle.”
I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support.
