There are very few whispers online about Apple's ambitious Project Titan initiative or the Apple Car. Interestingly, a new set of patents filed by the Cupertino-based tech giant was recently spotted. Out of three patents, one patent reveals Apple's innovative technology that could help promote safe driving by eliminating blind spots.
The new set of patents hint that Apple has not abolished its ambitious project of creating the Apple Car. If these patents are pointing on future features of Apple Car, it merely suggests that Apple is making sure that the Apple Car is loaded with essential and unique features that will please owners. One of these features is a technology that will reduce if not eliminate blind spots when driving.
First reported by Patently Apple, the patent filed by Apple reportedly for the Apple Car is titled, "Systems for Improving Side-Mirror Functionality of a Vehicle." based on the description on the patent, the technology basically projects images of the environment surrounding the blind spots of the vehicle's windshield and windows. The patent also mentions some kind of facial recognition technology involved in the upcoming feature.
Apple may be closer to getting involved in the automotive market w/ new patent that is meant to eliminate
car’s blind spots. It projects images of surrounding environment w/in car’s blind spots onto vehicle’s window or windshield https://t.co/bL2KP9lAEU) pic.twitter.com/r6jdxL0f36 — Patent Profiler (@PatentProfiler) November 27, 2019
Apple Car için yeni patent! https://t.co/M3RaH7swlu pic.twitter.com/t71iQFsZpl — DP Haberleri (@dp_haberleri) November 27, 2019
Additionally, the patent mentions a camera mounted on the windshield positioned in front of the driver. This presumable detects the driver's face and facial features. By merely reading the facial features of the driver, the side mirrors would be able to adjust automatically. The technology used in this patent is somewhat similar to that invented by the 14-year-old Alaina Gassler.
According to rumors, this patent is intended for both autonomous driving and driver mode of the Apple Car. This also begs the question if this patent is already an early peek to the groundbreaking features that the Cupertino-based tech giant would like to equip the Apple Car. In Apr. 2019, Reuters reported that the iPhone maker was already talking to other companies creating sensor technology in autonomous vehicle systems.
Additionally, Apple's self-driving car project codenamed Project Titan allegedly hired former Google and Tesla employees for Apple's self-driving car technology. Reuters claimed that the Cupertino company has approximately 1,200 people working on its ambitious Project Titan. Just last year, the company reportedly logged almost 80,000 miles testing self-driving vehicles in California.
TFI Analyst and reliable Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in 2018 that Apple Car would be unveiled between 2023 and 2025. The recently spotted patent filing could somehow prove to be a step into that road for an Apple Car to launch in the market.
