Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Google Patents “Flypaper” to Save Pedestrians By Sticking Them to Car Hoods

Google engineers' newest concept for pedestrians would glue them to the front of cars. Image: U.S. Patent Office
Not the Onion. Image: U.S. Patent Office
false

The minds at Google have come up with a novel idea to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision with the company's self-driving cars.

The tech behemoth was awarded a patent this week for what it describes as a "flypaper or double-sided duct tape"-type substance beneath an "eggshell" exterior on the hood of the car. In a collision with a human being, the shell would crack and the person would stick to the adhesive. The idea is that after the initial collision, the flypaper will prevent people from hitting the asphalt or getting run over, which is how severe injuries are often inflicted.

A Google spokesperson told the San Jose Mercury News the patent doesn't mean the company will go ahead with implementation. Even if the idea works as planned, it's easy to envision scenarios where it would backfire, like if the car strikes another vehicle or a tree while someone is glued to the hood.

A much more important question for the impending autonomous car future is how these systems will minimize the potential for collisions with pedestrians in the first place. A fleet of robocars won't need flypaper if they can't exceed, say, 15 mph while operating on crowded city streets.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Streetsblog California Endorsement: Yes on Prop 50

Prop 50 reaffirms Californians’ desire to set higher clean air standards, and build transportation projects that don’t worsen the global spiral into climate disaster.

September 24, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines

A five mile complete streets project sounds nice.

September 24, 2025

A Place to Report Market Street Motorist Mayhem

A new website lets you share scofflaw driver sightings, to help build a record of the city's abandonment of 'car-free' Market.

September 23, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

A lot of CA v Trump news, but there's plenty going on in cities (and ports!) throughout the state.

September 23, 2025

Our Streets Look Like War Zones — But What if They Were ‘Sites of Peacebuilding’ Instead?

A peace and conflict studies scholar weighs in on what car culture has in common with global conflicts — and why we need to confront violence on our roads if we want to end violence around the globe.

September 23, 2025

There’s Good Science Behind the Human Craving for Livable Streets

It's time to understanding the science of pedestrian-friendly cities. Or, why streets should be designed like gardens.

September 22, 2025
See all posts