Detroit, Michigan –Shape-changing mirrors, a horror movie classic, coming to a car near you!
A recent patent by General Motors (GM) describes a mirror that reshapes in accordance with the driver’s behaviour, with the ultimate goal of improving driver awareness.
The patent describes a motorized housing around the mirror, turning it from a flat mirror into a fisheye mirror. Think of the extra field of view from rounded anti-theft mirrors in stores and you get the idea.
Sensors adapt to information from the car automatically. Information like the vehicle’s turn signal status and lane merging would allow the mirror to transform accordingly without driver input.
While no prototype has been showcased yet, the patent suggests that materials like silver and stainless steel would be used as a reflective surface. However, it does not elaborate on whether this alternative will be as clear as traditional glass mirrors.
To read GM’s application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, click here.
