Jeep is methods to combine drones with its autos, as current patent filings point out.
One doable use Jeep is trying to patent is off-road recognizing. As an alternative of an individual getting out of the car to survey the terrain forward and direct the motive force over the suitable line by means of obstacles, Jeep proposes deploying a drone from an in-vehicle docking station.
Jeep drone dock patent picture
As soon as the drone is deployed, it may well fly forward of the car and set up a knowledge hyperlink, sending photographs on to the car’s dashboard show to assist information the motive force, in line with the patent submitting.
A second patent software goes right into a bit extra element on the docking station for the drone. This could be situated inside the car’s inside, probably as a part of a middle console storage bin, the doc suggests. It could be geared up to cost the drone, and to ship alerts permitting the drone to undock and fly out of the car—maybe by means of an open sunroof.
Jeep drone dock patent picture
A 3rd patent submitting describes and different use for the drone itself. As an alternative of scouting forward for obstacles, the drone may function a safety escort for car occupants. The identical docking station and drone-to-vehicle knowledge hyperlink could possibly be used right here as effectively, Jeep notes, however on this case the drone would observe a driver or passengers as they stroll away from or again to the car.
Jeep is not the primary automaker to stumble on the concept of mixing drones and off-roading. Each Rivian and Normal Motors have filed patent purposes for drone scouting programs much like Jeep’s, though neither submitting mentioned utilizing drones as airborne sentries.
