Google patented a sticky 'glue' for self-driving cars to catch pedestrians

Google's self-driving cars haven't hit many things since they first took to the roads in 2015, but its collision avoidance technology isn't perfect. Now, it appears Google is working on some safety provisions in case one of their vehicles hits a pedestrian.

Google has patented a unique solution that puts a glue-like adhesive on the front end of the self-driving car. The patent, first seen by The Mercury News, describes the sticky covering as a way to catch pedestrians in case of a collision in order to minimize harm.

Sticking someone to the front of a car when they're hit may not seem like the most convenient or safest way of handling a collision, but it limits the damage of the impact. When people are hit by cars, they can be thrown over the car, off to the side, or onto the ground. By sticking to the hood, people only have to deal with one impact instead of multiple. Read more...