Apple files for patents for augmented and immersive virtual displays for cars

Apple has filed for two patents involving augmented and virtual displays. Patent number 20180089900 is for a virtual display system, and patent number 20180089901 is for an immersive virtual display. Both are for vehicles.

They’re designed to implement methods that address problems with vehicles in motion that may result in motion sickness for passengers. According to Apple, the systems may provide augmented or virtual views that match visual cues with the physical motions that a passenger experiences. They would project virtual content so that the content appears as a distant object stabilized or fixed in the external environment. 

Apple says the systems could also aid in productivity, as passengers may perform work while riding in the vehicle without experiencing motion sickness. In addition, the VR systems may provide enhanced virtual experiences to passengers in moving vehicles by matching accelerations and motions of the vehicle to accelerations and motions in the virtual experiences.

Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.