Jeep patents drone system as an off-road assistant
Jeep is taking a look at methods to combine drones with its autos, as latest patent filings point out.
One potential use Jeep is trying to patent is off-road recognizing. As a substitute of an individual getting out of the automobile to survey the terrain forward and direct the driving force over the suitable line via 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 possibly fly forward of the automobile and set up a knowledge hyperlink, sending photographs on to the automobile’s dashboard show to assist information the driving force, in response to the patent submitting.
A second patent software goes right into a bit extra element on the docking station for the drone. This is able to be situated throughout the automobile’s inside, probably as a part of a middle console storage bin, the doc suggests. It will be outfitted to cost the drone, and to ship alerts permitting the drone to undock and fly out of the automobile—maybe via an open sunroof.
Jeep drone dock patent picture
A 3rd patent submitting describes and different use for the drone itself. As a substitute of scouting forward for obstacles, the drone may function a safety escort for automobile occupants. The identical docking station and drone-to-vehicle knowledge hyperlink might be used right here as nicely, Jeep notes, however on this case the drone would comply with a driver or passengers as they stroll away from or again to the automobile.
Jeep is not the primary automaker to stumble on the concept of mixing drones and off-roading. Each Rivian and Basic Motors have filed patent purposes for drone scouting programs just like Jeep’s, though neither submitting mentioned utilizing drones as airborne sentries.
