Not a Flying Car Patent, but Getting There…

Danie Roy

The year 2011 is closing out, which means reflection on the past, and looking to the future.  In some cases, one might reflect on old cartoons and predictions of where technology would take us by now… and the timeless question “where’s my flying car already?”

Admit it.  You’ve wanted one at some point or another.  While we still may not have flying cars, we might have self-driving cars.  At least, that’s what Google’s new patent says.

Basically, the patent allows for a car to pick up some sort of external stimulus (QR code, radio signal, phone signal, pictures, etc.) and drive to a desired location and/or through a desired route.  The car is not completely autonomous (electrical devices glitch all the time, after all.  Most folks are guessing QR codes on the road, but I think QR signs or wireless signals are more likely.  Guess we’ll find out soon enough, when Google decides to listen to the cries of “SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!”