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Toyota Patents Winking, Laughing, Crying Car

Posted by simoniker on from the international-sign-of-the-finger dept.

theodp writes "If the patent system ain't broke, don't fix it: The NY Times/IHT reports that four inventors working for Toyota in Japan have won a patent for a car that they say can help drivers communicate better by glaring angrily at another car cutting through traffic, as well as appear to cry, laugh, wink or just look around." The article goes on to describe "...a car with an antenna that wags, an adjustable body height, headlights that vary in intensity and hood slits and ornamentation designed to look like eyebrows, eyelids and tears."

11 of 484 comments (clear)

  1. What I want to know by IncarnadineConor · · Score: 5, Funny

    is what part of the car is going to represent the middle finger

    1. Re:What I want to know by tambo · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I suspect the primary claim of this patent reads: "A method of substantially increasing the frequency of auto accidents by adding distraction to the road, comprising..."

      Seriously, what an awful idea. Yes, let's pay attention to the emotions of the cars around us. Because even after the advent of cellphones, food from drive-throughs, stereos, GPS devices, and in-car LCD screens - we're still paying WAY too much attention to our driving situation.

      - David Stein

      --
      Computer over. Virus = very yes.
    2. Re:What I want to know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Screw that.

      I want rocket launchers and flame throwers.

      Let's have some real retribution for those who piss me off, none of this namby pamby crying shit.

      And don't dare mod this comment as "funny".

  2. I just want to know... by Robotech_Master · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...would Herbie the Love Bug count as prior art?

    --
    Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
  3. Two Words: by XCorvis · · Score: 5, Funny

    Two Words:

    Moon Roof

  4. the new kids craze by CmdrGoatse · · Score: 5, Funny

    2 tonne furbies on wheels

    --
    | ` /
    | \,X`\ HEIL HITLER
    | .
  5. How long.... by Rob+Carr · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...before the first news article "Driver of Glaring Car Shot to Death"?

    --
    This sig seemed like a good idea at the time....
  6. emotional ricer.... by sickmtbnutcase · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wonder what expression a riced-out version will show when mom's minivan beats it in a drag race...

  7. Prior art disclosure obligations and Benny by Nakito · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope the inventors complied with their duty to submit a copy of "Roger Rabbit" to the patent office. Benny the Cab anticipates every technology described in the article.

  8. Speed Buggy? by mdrechsler · · Score: 5, Informative

    Did anyone else think of Speed Buggy or am I the only dope that remembers that show?
    http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServl et/showid-5028/Speed_Buggy/

  9. Yeah, whatever.... by hot_Karls_bad_cavern · · Score: 5, Insightful

    how about increasing fuel efficiency? (yes, even more.

    or making them safer (fundementally instead of bigger and heavier)

    or better communication integration for the ever-pressed-to-the-ear cell phones

    or better collision avoidance systems

    or making headlights that can be "ub3r" that don't blind everyone on the road

    Yeah, making sure the car has emotions and becomes more distracting is a stellar idea. Yesh.