GM Files Patent For Projecting A Security Zone Around Vehicles

GM has filed a patent application for a system capable of projecting a “security zone” around a vehicle. The filing was made under patent number US 12,311,876 B2 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and was filed on September 20^th, 2023. The filing was published on May 27^th, 2025, and lists several U.S.-based engineers as the inventors, including Pallavi Gautam, Joseph F. Szczerba, Robert C. Jablonski, and Manoj Kumar Sharma.

The patent application describes a vehicle safety system that uses a projector and onboard sensors to create a visible “security zone” around a vehicle. This system works by projecting a graphic, such as a line or symbol, onto the ground next to the vehicle to mark a designated safety boundary. Onboard sensors, like cameras and microphones, can detect if a person enters that projected area. If someone is detected within this zone and doesn’t have permission to be there, the system then issues some kind of warning. These warnings can be delivered in several forms, including lights, sounds, haptic feedback through a personal device, or even messages sent to a smartphone.

The system can also check if the person near the vehicle is authorized to be there by accessing digital credentials stored in the cloud or on a personal device. It can use facial recognition, badges, or other identifying features to help make that determination. If someone who’s not authorized enters the zone, the vehicle can issue a warning. In more advanced cases, the system can even analyze the person’s behavior, like body language or speech, to decide if they’re acting in a threatening way.

This projected security zone can be especially helpful when a vehicle is parked in public or is about to move. For example, it can prevent people from getting too close to a delivery truck or heavy equipment by showing a clear visual boundary. It also enhances awareness and safety for nearby pedestrians, especially in crowded areas.

What makes this system different from typical parking or proximity sensors is that it creates a visible alert space on the ground and includes active warnings based on individual behavior and identity. Most systems on offer today only beep or flash lights when someone or something gets too close, but do not directly define a zone around a vehicle. This system adds both visibility and intelligence to the equation.