Google’s autonomous vehicles, which are used to map the world, may soon be getting a small upgrade. According to a recent patent application from the technology company, the vehicles will soon be able to respond to QR codes. The new patent will not apply only to autonomous vehicles, however, as new “mixed-mode” vehicles will also be able to use the codes. For these vehicles, the codes will be able to change the driving modes between human and autonomous.
The patent details how the codes can be used to send a vehicle to a specific address without having to be driven by an actual person. Google’s autonomous cars already accomplish this goal – to varying degrees of success – and the company seems to believe that the technology is ready for use by consumers. Plenty of work remains to be done to ensure that such a system is safe for drivers.
While Google’s patent shows the use of QR codes, the company says that any RFID or NFC device can accomplish the same aim. There are some dangers inherent in the system, however, as both QR codes and NFC signals have been the targets of malicious attacks recently. QR codes, in particular, are easy to produce for those willing to put in a little effort. These malicious QR codes could have dire consequences for drivers that fall prey to them. Google has yet to reveal any plans for safety measures in this regard.
