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IBM Seeks Patent On Retailer-Rigged Driving Routes

Posted by timothy on from the go-here-you'll-like-it dept.

theodp writes "On IBM's Smarter Planet, you may drive further than need be to get to your destination. Big Blue's pending patent for Determining Travel Routes by Using Fee-Based Location Preferences calls for the likes of Walmart, Starbucks, and Best Buy pay a fee in return for having your route calculation service de-optimize driving instructions to make you do a drive-by of their stores, and an additional fee if GPS tracking of your car indicates you actually took the suboptimal route. The same IBM inventors also have a patent pending for Environmental Stewardship Based on Driving Behavior, which calls for yet another fee to be assessed when a retailer-friendly-but-suboptimal route causes your vehicle to enter a congested area and produce more pollution."

5 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. best buy GPS "ask geek suard for map updates" by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 3, Funny

    How long before it the gps says

    "Go in to best buy and ask for geek suard for map update service Only $49.99"

  2. Re:GPS craze by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 3, Funny

    But then again, I don't blindly drive off the road into a river/ravine/building just because my gps told me to.

    Wish I'd read your post five minutes earlier...

    - Sent from under water

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  3. Re:Random thoughts by makubesu · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm starting to think my patent on having patent office employees smoke weed during the work day is being violated.

  4. This might explain ... by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... all those octogenarian driving their Cadillacs thought the front walls of various businesses. Well, you paid to aim them your way.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  5. Prior art by yelvington · · Score: 3, Funny

    Bangkok Tuk-Tuk drivers.
    New Delhi motorcycle taxis.