Stellantis Patents Virtual Driver to Ease Passenger Anxiety in Autonomous Vehicles

Automaker Stellantis has filed a patent for a system designed to address passenger trust issues in autonomous vehicles. The patent describes projecting a "virtual driver" onto the vehicle's windshield.

Stellantis believes this virtual presence can mitigate the discomfort some passengers feel when seeing an empty driver's seat. The system would analyze occupant positions and gaze direction to generate a virtual figure capable of interaction. This virtual driver could offer synthesized speech synchronized with facial expressions and even shift its gaze to engage with a speaking passenger.

Passengers could potentially customize the virtual driver's appearance for greater comfort. The patent also outlines a more advanced application where a remote human operator, taking control during complex situations, could appear as a holographic presence inside the vehicle. This would allow the remote operator to communicate directly with passengers, assuring them of the situation.

The company aims to enhance the perceived safety and user experience of self-driving technology. Stellantis has not yet provided a timeline for when this technology might be implemented in production vehicles.