{
  "patent_number": "US 10836107",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Robots That 3D Print Smart Roads for Self-Driving Cars",
  "original_title": "Methods and apparatus for mobile additive manufacturing of advanced roadway communication systems",
  "summary": "This patent describes how a mobile robot can 3D print communication lines and power cables directly into roads to help autonomous vehicles talk to the road and each other, and even get power.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent details a method for building communication and power systems directly into roadways using a special mobile additive manufacturing apparatus. This apparatus, essentially a robot, has a controller, a 3D printing system, a drive system, a navigation system, and its own power (Claim 1). It moves along a road surface and deposits materials like electrically conductive wire or optical fiber in specific spots according to a digital plan. For example, it can embed an electrically conductive material into the road and connect it to an antenna. This setup then allows a vehicle, like an autonomous car, to send a message to that antenna, which is then transmitted through the embedded material (Claim 1). The system can also be used to flow electrical power to devices connected to the embedded conductive material (Claim 17).",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover building communication or power systems into roads using traditional construction methods like trenching and laying cables.",
    "Does not cover stationary additive manufacturing systems; the apparatus must be mobile and transport itself along the road surface (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover communication systems between vehicles that do not involve a physical material embedded within the roadway by the apparatus.",
    "Does not cover systems where the embedded material is not connected to a device like an antenna or a power receiver (Claim 1, Claim 17).",
    "Does not cover general road repair or resurfacing unless it specifically involves embedding communication or power elements."
  ],
  "filed": "2020-04-20",
  "granted": "2020-11-17",
  "expires": "2040-04-20",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Frederick A. Flitsch",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/frederick-a-flitsch"
    },
    {
      "name": "Robert A. Flitsch",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/robert-a-flitsch"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 2,
  "tags": [
    "automotive",
    "telecommunications",
    "software",
    "robotics",
    "materials",
    "infrastructure"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing. The present disclosure includes methods for the utilization of mobile and automated processing apparatus. In some examples, the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus may create communication means into an advanced roadway, which may be used for various communications including communications to and from autonomous vehicles. The communications may involve data related to the operation of systems of autonomous vehicles. In other examples, the communications may relate to the status of roadways which may be sensed or imaged by vehicles using the advanced roadways.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10836107/methods-and-apparatus-for-mobile-additive-manufacturing-of-advanced-roadway-comm",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10836107/methods-and-apparatus-for-mobile-additive-manufacturing-of-advanced-roadway-comm/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US10836107",
  "relatedPatents": []
}