Ford Motor Company has filed a patent application for something called an Emotive Advisory System, which, according to Autoblog, "simulates emotions when interacting with occupants, and may also use an avatar to express itself."
SWDELaw, a blog that follows intellectual property issues, found the patent application. They quote the following passage from the filing: "For example, the sensors may detect head movements, speech prosody, biometric information, etc. of the occupant that, when processed by the computer, indicate that the occupant is angry. In one example response, the EAS may limit or discontinue dialog that it initiates with the occupant while the occupant is angry. In another example response, the avatar may be rendered in blue color tones with a concerned facial expression and ask in a calm voice ‘Is something bothering you?'"
Yes, the car would apparently attempt to read your emotions, and ask about them. It might even try to help. The filing continues, "If the occupant responds by saying ‘Because of this traffic, I think I'm going to be late for work,' the avatar may ask ‘Would you like me to find a faster route?' or ‘Is there someone you would like me to call? If the occupant responds by saying ‘No. This is the only way . . . ,' the avatar may ask ‘Would you like to hear some classical music?'
The car could even display emotions of its own as it responds to you. The patent filing, according to SWDELaw, imagines a scenario where the driver has asked the EAS to find news on upcoming elections. "In response, the EAS may query the appropriate information sources to gather the current news regarding the elections. During the query, if the communication link with the information sources is strong, the avatar may appear happy. If, however, the communication link with the information sources is weak, the avatar may appear sad, prompting the occupant to ask ‘Are you having difficulty getting news on the elections?' The avatar may answer ‘Yes, I'm having trouble establishing a remote communication link.'"
Autoblog comments, "We all tend to forge some kind of bond with our cars, but it's a little too fantastical and hilarious to imagine rocking down the blacktop in a new Taurus SHO and having the car say ‘You don't need to drive like a jerk just because you're mad at me.'"
Research the best car deals with U.S. News' car rankings and reviews.
