Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has been granted a patent (number 10,810,443) for a “vehicle video system” for use in a self-driving car.
Per the patent, images are obtained using cameras mounted on a vehicle, and at least a portion of the obtained images are displayed on a screen. Motion of the vehicle can be controlled such that it moves toward a physical destination selected from images obtained using cameras mounted on a vehicle.
In the patent data, Apple notes that automated control systems for vehicles may navigate to a general area. For example, automated control systems may navigate to a general area as designated by a point on a map.
Apple says that navigation using information such as maps is not well-suited to designating a destination at a very specific location, such as the location of an entry door to a building or a place where a person is standing. Its alternative is the vehicle video system.
As I’ve said before, I’m dubious that Apple will ever build a vehicle from scratch. Rather, I think it will team up with a current auto manufacturer (or more than one) to make the “Apple Car.”
(Dennis Sellers has been covering the Apple industry since 1996. In addition to“Apple World Today,” he also runs his own freelance writing/editing service. If you want more info about the latter, email him at dennis.sellers@comcast.net.)
