The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Google Driverless Cars

Google patents ‘sticky’ solution to driverless car collisions

Author

By John Glenday, Reporter

May 20, 2016 | 2 min read

Google has applied some innovative thinking on how to minimise the risk of death and injury to pedestrians coming into contact with its putative fleet of driverless cars by patenting ‘sticky technology’ which it claims can reduce collision impacts.

Google, Driverless cars, sticky bonnet

The adhesive layer is applied to the front bonnet of vehicles with the intention affixing victims in place at the first point of contact instead of bouncing back off onto the road at risk of further injury.

In its patent application Google described the glue-like material thusly: “The adhesive coating on the front portion of the vehicle may be activated on contact and will be able to adhere to the pedestrian nearly instantaneously.”

Acting as a last line of defence in the event of catastrophic mechanical or software failures the Heath Robinson-esque solution isn’t going to do anything to prevent damage from the initial impact but may lessen the odds of secondary injury.

Whether the idea ever makes it into reality alongside crumpling bonnets and airbags remains to be seen however.

Google Driverless Cars

More from Google

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +