The patent, first spotted by Quartz, describes various types of airbags that could be attached to the front bumper or side of a vehicle, automatically deploying if sensors detect an imminent collision with another vehicle, a pedestrian or other object.
The general idea is not new, though such technology has not yet received wide adoption. Safety innovator Volvo currently offers an exterior airbag on a production model, the V40, but it deploys from the back of the hood to cover the windshield, potentially mitigating head injuries but without minimizing leg injuries.
Cyclists and safety advocates have called for such technology to be mandatory for all new cars. European regulations already require passive measures, such as lower bumpers, that are designed to minimize pedestrian injuries in accidents, but no country has required exterior airbags.
Most automakers have been implementing active front-crash avoidance technology, relying solely on automatic braking to help prevent collisions. Google appears to be preparing to go one step further as it pushes toward fully autonomous operation, where a pedestrian death could be perceived as a fault against the company rather than a failure of a human driver.
The search giant is currently ramping up production of its early self-driving car prototypes, reportedly with the aim of building an actual production model before the end of the decade. The company has not publicly confirmed any intention to use the exterior airbags in its prototypes or production cars.
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