Jeep is methods to combine drones with its autos, as latest patent filings point out.
One potential use Jeep is seeking to patent is off-road recognizing. As an alternative of an individual getting out of the automobile 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 could fly forward of the automobile and set up a knowledge hyperlink, sending pictures on to the automobile’s dashboard show to assist information the motive force, based on the patent submitting.
A second patent utility goes right into a bit extra element on the docking station for the drone. This may be situated throughout the automobile’s inside, probably as a part of a middle console storage bin, the doc suggests. It might be geared up to cost the drone, and to ship indicators permitting the drone to undock and fly out of the automobile—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 automobile occupants. The identical docking station and drone-to-vehicle information hyperlink may very well be used right here as properly, 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 come across the thought of mixing drones and off-roading. Each Rivian and Basic Motors have filed patent functions for drone scouting methods just like Jeep’s, though neither submitting mentioned utilizing drones as airborne sentries.