Porsche has filed a patent with the European Patent Office for a system designed to warn animals of an approaching vehicle and prevent collisions. The technology can detect different types of animals and adjust the warning signals accordingly. Porsche also claims the system can be customized for specific vehicles, enhancing its effectiveness in various environments.
Targeted Acoustic Signals for Animal Avoidance
Porsche’s patent details a forward-facing loudspeaker system in the vehicle exterior that emits targeted sound signals that are unpleasant to animals to deter them from an approaching vehicle, reducing the risk of collisions. The system appears to be designed primarily for urban areas and low-speed environments to avoid collisions with children, cats, and dogs.
Multiple activation parameters can determine when the system is engaged, including:
- Navigation data to detect urban or built-up areas
- Camera inputs to visually identify potential hazards
- Speed thresholds (e.g. below 20 or 30 mph)
- Other programmable triggers
The patent lacks specifics on how the system identifies different animals, but camera-based image processing is the likely method. Once an animal is recognized, the system adjusts the sound’s intensity, pressure, pitch, and direction—potentially using both audible and ultrasound waves—to effectively deter the specific species. Porsche claims this technology is unique due to its seamless integration with vehicle sensors and real-time processing capabilities.
Potential Applications and Future Uses
Beyond its immediate urban applications, the technology could have broader uses, such as:
- Customizing sound signals based on regional wildlife to enhance effectiveness
- Increasing the trigger speed limit for open-road scenarios, deterring larger animals like deer, antelope, or kangaroos
- Exploring adaptations for aircraft to prevent bird strikes
