Apple Patents Self-Driving V2X Tech

Apple Inc. has received a U.S. patent for a system that would alert surrounding motorists and pedestrians of the presence and planned maneuvers of a vehicle operating in self-driving mode.

Under its “visual communication of an operational status" patent, Apple envisions displaying or otherwise communicating a variety of information about an autonomous vehicle. This could include everything from whether a car is being operated autonomously or manually and its next planned turn to warning following drivers.

Apple says a digital display could be illuminated on the exterior of a vehicle—including a countdown timer—and/or wirelessly sent to other connected vehicles. In addition, a projection system could be used to highlight an adjacent lane or parking spot before a vehicle turns into it.

Alerting other road users about the planned actions of a self-driving car could help them feel more comfortable about the technology, Apple notes. The company likens the system to how observing a driver’s actions can indicate upcoming vehicle maneuvers, such as checking his or her blind spots multiple times before changing lanes.

Apple has filed several patents in recent months related to autonomous vehicle technology. Earlier this year the tech company applied for patents on a gesture-control systems and an occupant monitoring system.

Apple, which has been testing self-driving cars in California for more than a year, recently hired former Tesla and Waymo tech executives Doug Field and Jaime Waydo to work on the program. Field rejoins Apple after a stint as Tesla’s chief engineer.