Google's Solution To Making Cars Safer For Pedestrians Might Stick
By KYW tech editor Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Despite all the safety features being tested in self-driving cars, accidents are bound to happen.
But Google has just been awarded a patent for an innovation that could prevent pedestrians involved in a crash from getting more seriously hurt.
If you have the misfortune to be hit by a Google car, you won't end up on the pavement and under the wheels of said ride -- or others.
No, you'd stick to the hood and bumper of the striking vehicle. That's what Google envisions happening, as detailed in its successful patent application.
An "eggshell-like" covering on the front of the car would be impenetrable by insects, but would crumble upon impact with you, revealing a layer of strong, contact-activated adhesive -- a kind of glue trap to secure you to the car.
The patent notes efforts by Jaguar, to raise the hood somewhat upon impact "to provide a more compliant surface" for the victim; and by Volvo, to deploy an exterior airbag "to lessen the severity."
But the authors say "existing technology does little" to protect against the highly injurious "secondary impact."
