PCT success story: Enhancing driving enthusiasm through steering wheel haptic feedback

Automobile technology is developing rapidly, and new models are constantly being equipped with various comfort features. Over the past few years, I've noticed that automakers and buyers place greater emphasis on convenience and comfort than the raw driving characteristics of their vehicles. As comfort increases, driver awareness of driving conditions decreases. Improvements in the car have reduced driving enthusiasm. The problem is even more pronounced in electric vehicles, where EV makers are trying to fix it by introducing synthetic sounds inside the cabin.

There is a lot of information that the driver subconsciously gets from the vibrations of the car while driving. The invention revolves around the idea of electronically reintroducing natural vibrations captured using sensors mounted outside the cabin and reproduced in real time using tiny vibration motors placed inside the steering wheel. The present invention enables subtle vibrations to be reproduced without compromising the comfort of car occupants, and further extends the use of machine learning to synthesize natural sensory vibrations in electric vehicles. These simulated vibrations, combined with synthesized sounds, can enhance the EV driver experience.

For an independent inventor like myself, using the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) route has been very beneficial. The first and most useful advantage of the PCT is that it extends the period for filing patents in different countries. Without the PCT, I would have had to apply for patent protection in all countries within a year of the first filing, but the PCT gives 30 months for this. These extended deadlines enable inventors like myself to raise financial resources, find partners and sponsors for filing and examination in different countries (national phase). The second advantage of the PCT is the search report, which lets me know if the Claim of the current patent application can be approved or if any amendments to the Claim are required before entering the national phase. This can reduce national phase processing costs and time. Essentially, the PCT is the best way for independent inventors to apply for patents in multiple countries.