Google patents 'sticky' layer to protect pedestrians in self-driving car accidents

Adhesive technology on the front of a vehicle would aim to reduce the damage caused when a pedestrian hit by a car is flung into other vehicles or objects

Google has patented a new "sticky" technology to protect pedestrians if - or when - they get struck by the company's self-driving cars.

The patent, which was granted on 17 May, is for a sticky adhesive layer on the front end of a vehicle, which would aim to reduce the damage caused when a pedestrian hit by a car is flung into other vehicles or scenery.