Google Patents Pedestrian Flypaper For Self-Driving Cars

In a world with self-driving cars, Google envisions the inevitable: accidents involving pedestrians. But the firm is exploring an unusual solution. Think flypaper. The company received a patent Tuesday describing a way to reduce pedestrian injuries in an accident with a robotic vehicle. The impact of the crash, Google suggests, would expose a coating that glues the person to the front of the car. "The adhesive layer may be a very sticky material and operate in a manner similar to flypaper, or double-sided duct tape," the patent said. In its patent, Google acknowledged that robot cars will hit pedestrians -- until the technology gets to the point that the vehicles can "avoid all accidents."