
As reported by InsideHook and WomenonWheels, Toyota recently filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its “car wash judgment system”, a feature that will enable driverless vehicles to sense when they are dirty and subsequently drive to a nearby car wash.
The application describes the technology as follows;
“When a vehicle that has transmitted traveling information is an automated driving vehicle capable of performing automated driving and when the traveling information of the automated driving vehicle satisfies the car wash condition, a car wash instruction unit transmits an instruction signal for moving the automated driving vehicle to a car wash station.”
The system utilizes a set of parameters and different sensors to determine when the vehicle requires a car wash. For instance, inclement weather, mucky or unpaved roads, and winter slush will prompt the vehicle that it is due for a cleaning.
Once the “car wash condition” is triggered, the vehicle will alert the car wash through a remote server. The car wash will promptly respond, letting the vehicle know when it can come in for a cleaning. The remote server will also enable the car wash to have access to the vehicle’s navigation system, which will provide live updates regarding the vehicle’s arrival time and the type of cleaning required.
According to WomenonWheels, Toyota’s car wash judgment system addresses an inevitable issue that will arise in a future where vehicles are fully autonomous and private car ownership is overtaken by ride-sharing services.
Author: Maddie Warren
Authors
Expertise
Insights
-
Intellectual Property Litigation
Carrot Puff Copycat: Copyright Infringed in Federal Court of Australia Case
As reported by Mason Hayes & Curran, the Federal Court of Australia has reportedly found the supermarket chain, Aldi, liable for copyright infringement regarding illustrations used on the… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Carnegie Hall Takes Trademark Center Stage in Legal Battle
Carnegie Hall has reportedly commenced an action against Carnegie Diner and Café for trademark infringement.In its complaint filed with the United States District Court, Southern District of New York… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Federal Court of Appeal Reiterates Permissive Approach to Granting Leave to Amend Defective Pleadings
In Bell Canada et al. v. Millennium Funding, Inc. et al., 2025 FCA 153, Bell Canada and Bell Aliant (collectively, “Bell”) appealed an order granting the Respondents’ (collectively, “Millenium… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Under the Radar, Over the Counter: Goyard's Quiet Battle Against Fake Luxury
Goyard, the Parisian brand established in 1853 and still privately owned, has reportedly faced a surge in counterfeit bags flooding the market. The company refrains from advertising, avoids e-commerce… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Music to Sheeran’s Ears: Supreme Court Declines to Rehear Marvin Gaye Copyright Suit
The US Supreme Court has declined to revisit a copyright dispute over alleged similarities between Ed Sheeran’s 2014 hit, “Thinking Out Loud”, and Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic, “Let’s Get It On… -
Intellectual Property Litigation
Federal Court Reaffirms Importance of Viva Voce Testimony
In McCain Foods Limited v. J.R. Simplot Company 2024 FC 1729, the Federal Court considered the circumstances in which an examination for discovery of a person, other than a person examined under Rule…