Technology giant Google has patented the particular creation of a special bodywork covering, which would act like flypaper, in order to end pedestrians bouncing off cars within an event of an accident.
Of course getting hit by a vehicle is a rather unpleasant experience, yet what makes it even nastier may be the impact of not only the car striking the person but also the force by which they hit the ground shorty right after. Or perhaps getting dragged under the automobile that’s just struck you.
Google has come up with a method to try and prevent this ‘secondary stage’ of a pedestrian impact. Their strategy is to have a protective “eggshell-like” level, which would break on impact in order to reveal a sticky surface beneath. Comparing the concept to flypaper, Search engines says the idea is that the person who is certainly struck would remain stuck towards the bonnet, preventing them from jumping off and causing further damage. The material would then ‘release’ the person shortly after, so that they don’t turn out permanently stuck to your bonnet.
The technology is mainly designed for autonomous cars, which should end up being less likely to strike a people anyway, however Google believe that the particular tech is more than likely worthwhile until self-driving vehicles are perfected.
The company said: “There are carried on efforts to improve vehicle safety, such as the development of autonomous vehicles equipped with accident-avoidance systems that will have the ability to avoid almost all accidents. However , while such techniques are being developed, it must be acknowledged that will, on occasion, collisions between a vehicle plus a pedestrian still occur. ”
As to whether or not the ‘sticky bonnet’ concept will be implemented remains in the air since nothing has been confirmed as of yet. Nevertheless a Google spokesperson said: “We hold patents on a variety of concepts… Some of those ideas later mature straight into real products and services, some don’t”.
It isn’t just Google that are researching advances in pedestrian security, as both Volvo and Jaguar has also shown interest in improving street safety with Volvo expressing their particular thoughts on external airbags.
