Thursday, May 19, 2011

Will Autonomous Solutions get the key patent?

The Guideline™ system works by attaching a tether cord from the follower vehicle to any lead vehicle. No modifications are required to the lead vehicle whatsoever. The follower vehicle is driven by an installed vehicle automation system taking data from the Guideline™ sensor mounted on the front of the vehicle.

The GuideLine™ sensor delivers angle and length data and generates a planned “path” for the follower vehicle based on the path taken by the lead vehicle. There are no complicated sensors to tune or maintain. The system works in all light and weather conditions. It does not depend on RF or GPS data. The system works equally well in reverse, responding the same way that a long trailer would respond.

The simple elegance of the solution means less complex equipment to maintain, simplified operator training, and the potential for significant manpower reductions for safety or cost reasons.Utah Company

If they get this patent then they claim a key technology for very high speed Trambots. Should we care? Only if the patent office is stupid enough to grant them a wide claim on wireline communications between moving vehicles. So, yes indeedy, the patent office of the good old USA could indeed deliver a blow to future economic growth.

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