Google patents Driverless Car Technology

Tech giant Google has set its sights on the first driverless car technology and has just secured a patent in the U.S. The Intellectual Property rights include how the car would take control, where it is located, and in which direction to drive.

The system would determine when to change from human-controlled operation into a mode where the technology takes control of the car. Google suggests the system could be used to send faulty models back to repair shops or could potentially be used to offer tours of tourist spots.

The application was submitted in May but has only come to light this week, the 'Transitioning a Mixed-mode Vehicle to Autonomous Mode' document describes using sets of sensors to control the vehicle.

One set of sensors creates a 'landing strip' when the car stops; another set of sensors is then triggered to gather information on where the vehicle is and where it needs to go to.

The patent filing states that the landing strip will allow the person driving the car to know acceptable places to park as well as indicating to the vehicle that it is parked in a suitable place for transitioning into autonomous mode.

Google says the landing strip would be identified by the vehicle using GPS, or alternatively a QR code so the vehicle can identify its exact location which is vital for the vehicle being able to determine where it would need to go.

Information provided by the landing strip could tell the car to look up an internet address should it need to go to a repair shop, or if it needs to move to another parking spot. The landing strip could also determine how long the car needs to stay parked before moving off such as when you have removed all your shopping from your car it can then move off and park in an allocated spot. The patent also mentioned the car could be equipped with further sensors to ensure the driver, passengers and other people have moved far enough away for it to go into autonomous mode.

The technology also gives the option for the car to run in autonomous mode whilst the driver is still inside, an example given is of a programmed tour of the Chicago Millennium Park stopping at various points of interest. So self-drive holidays can be enjoyed by everyone in the car, even the driver can take in the sights rather than concentrating on the road as the car will do that for them.

This may sound like something from sci-fi fantasy but the technology has been tested by Google for a number of years. The current vehicles being tested utilise Google Street View maps, video cameras and a range of sensors and this technology patent is the next logical step in the progression of autonomous vehicles.

Driverless cars look to become a reality much sooner than expected, with Google even managing to get a law passed in the state of Nevada requiring new laws and regulations for autonomous vehicles on its highways.

So whether you just can't wake yourself up for that morning commute to work, or you simply want to take in the sights on a self-drive holiday, soon you will be able to sit back, relax and let the car do the work.