In efforts to end struggles for a better visibility over chunky pillars, Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has patented the ‘cloaking device’ at the U.S. patent office. To begin with, the device will be used on the A-pillars to offer a transparent view to see what’s around them. The device is made up of mirrors which have been strategically placed to bend visible light around an object, thereby allowing the driver to see through it.
Interestingly, this is a cheaper option as compared to adding more cameras and screens around the vehicle. The patent reads as: “Light from an object on an object-side of the cloaking device is directed around an article within the cloaking region and forms an image on an image-side of the cloaking device such the article appears transparent to an observer.”
Since the first car launch way back in 1886, the car pillars have become wider and thicker to offer more protection in event of a crash. However, this has lessened the visibility for drivers. Going forward, it will be interesting to see if Toyota will be introducing this technology in its future cars, especially when it is more affordable in comparison to the multiple cameras and combination of display screens around the pillars.
