Microsoft files Phantom Car patent
The Redmont based software giant files for a 'phantom car' patent. Will the 'phantom car' be the next evolution of the current automobile navigation systems?
OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT
21 August , 2005: And now Gates has his eyes on our cars. All those jokes about how Microsoft would make a car
notwithstanding, the idea seems to be an excellent direction. And probably, Microsoft is
one company that is capable of putting this into practice. How automobile manufacturers react to what could be perceived as an intrusion into their space is unclear, though.
Current navigation systems require you to check an in-car navigation screen, or listen to directions spoken out in a variety of male or female voices. The Microsoft phantom car would eliminate all that.
Essentially, the image of a car would be projected on to the windshield (probably using a heads-up display). This car would guide you to where you want to go, and all you have to do is to follow this phantom car.
Seems like a more intuitive way to use a navigation system than to listen to spoken instructions or check a small screen, doesn't it?
The phantom car is expected to use Global Position System (GPS) for the guidance system.
The idea seems workable - but will the driver have to wear some kind of a heads-up display unit? Will the phantom car be projected on to the screen nevertheless? What would happen if you don't follow the phantom car when it takes a turn? Will it vanish and reappear on your windscreen again, after blinking a couple of times, like in a computer game?
On the other hand, GPS systems have in rare cases told people to drive off cliffs. If you blindly trust the phantom car, could following it be dangerous? A lot more needs to be figured out, obviously.
Filing a patent also does not mean that Microsoft is actively pursuing the phantom car's development, either. We will have to wait for more information. Bookmark this page for any future updates.
OUR AUTOMOBILES CORRESPONDENT
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