Weird or wonderful? Google just patented a “sticky technology” to protect pedestrians in self-driving car accidents
Google has patented a new “sticky” technology to prevent pedestrians in the event of an accident involving its self-driving cars.
The tech giant says a sticky adhesive layer on the front end of its vehicle would prevent injuries to a pedestrian by reducing the impact of a car crash.
The patent said: "The adhesive layer may be a very sticky material and operate in a manner similar to flypaper, or double-sided duct tape.
"The front region of the vehicle may be coated with a specialised adhesive that adheres to a pedestrian, and thus holds the pedestrian on the vehicle in the unfortunate event that the front of the vehicle comes into contact with the pedestrian.”
Other car companies who have also taken steps to reduce impact of a car crash include Citroen and Jaguar. They use a device that raises the car’s bonnet 6.5cm to reduce the impact of a car crash.
Land Rover and Volvo, on the other hand, have fitted their cars with outside airbags to protect pedestrians.