Apple is said to be in discussions with manufacturers of self-driving sensors, suggesting its rumored Apple Car is coming closer to reality. Along with the conversations, the tech giant has filed a number of patents in recent months for a range of features that could be unleashed in the futuristic vehicle. The registered designs include … Read more
Skoda has patented a new safety device that it says could, in theory, cut the number of road deaths by a third. The Czech car maker – which is part of the VW Group – has copyrighted plans for the world’s first illuminated seat belt buckle. It will operate as a reminder to drivers and … Read more
Swedish car maker Volvo has patented a system that could allow customers to choose if they want the steering wheel in the middle of the car, or moved to the left or ride side of the vehicle. Sketches show a design that allows the wheel to be moved to three locations across the dashboard and … Read more
End of the ski lift? Amazon patents drone which can drag skiers up mountains using a tow handle A retractable rope would be lowered to take skiers up to the top of the mountain The drone would be summoned using a smart phone to find someone’s location Amazon said extreme skiers could use this to ‘customise … Read more
Apple patents ‘synthetic group selfies’ tech that stitches together images taken remotely and could enable socially-distant photo shoots The tech would take a group’s selfies and combine them into one image The system could enable socially-distant group selfies A patent suggests the technology could combine images automatically Images could also be arranged manually by a user … Read more
Apple patents ‘bendable’ laptop design that could see future MacBooks made out of a single piece of material A new patent hints at a potential future MacBook design with a bendable hinge Instead of a mechanical hinge the new design would bend like a stack of papers The bendable design is structured in thin layers to … Read more
Scientists and tech companies are open-sourcing their patents as part of a pledge to help expand resources for researchers trying to combat COVID-19 pandemic The initiative open is mean to encourage companies to open source patents Intel alone has opened up more than 72,000 patents to the world The license will be valid for a … Read more
Apple patents system to stop people from snooping on your iPhone by blurring the screen when it detects the gaze of unauthorized eyes Apple’s patent will stop strangers from viewing the content on your iPhone The system is designed with facial recognition and eye-gazing software It distinguishes between the device’s owner and an unwanted onlooker If … Read more
Sony patents new motion sensing controller with sensors that track individual finger movement, hinting at plans for a ‘next generation’ version of its PlayStation VR headset A patent filed in Japan reveals a new motion-sensing VR controller from Sony The controller has a small strip of sensors on the rear that could be used to … Read more
JUUL has been called ‘highly addictive’, but the firm may be developing a new product that helps users kick the habit once and for all. The San Francisco company filed a patent that describes an artificial intelligence powered product that delivers fewer nicotine amounts to the user by learning their smoking habits over time. The … Read more