Waymo has developed a visual communication system for unmanned cars with humans

Waymo

Waymo has created a system that allows its unmanned cars to visually communicate with other road users.

Here's What We Know

The Jaguar I-Pace cars use LED displays on the roof to send messages. For now, two signals are available:

• For pedestrians in front - rectangles to signify giving way;
• For drivers at the rear, a pedestrian symbol to warn of a crossing.

These symbols complement other visual and audible cues from Waymo. For example, displaying a passenger's initials or warning cyclists to open a door.

According to Waymo, the main goal is not to look like an instruction manual for people. The company doesn't want its cars to seem like "traffic police."

For now, there will only be two symbols on the roof. Waymo plans to roll out the system in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles in the future. The company also supports standardisation of signals across the industry.

Source: The Verge