Future General Motors vehicles could feature deployable awnings. That's something Rivian has also tried to patent, although GM may have different uses in mind.
A deployable awning was the subject of a GM patent application that was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Aug. 22, but originally filed by GM in 2023. In the application, GM pitches the awning as a way to protect customers from inclement weather as they enter and exit the vehicle.
General Motors deployable awning patent image
According to the application, the awning could be fully automated by tying it into various onboard sensors. The awning's control could use satellite navigation to determine current weather and where the vehicle is parked (it would be pointless to deploy an awning in an underground parking garage, after all). Sensors would prevent the awning from hitting any nearby obstacles.
Vehicles could also sense which door a person is approaching and deploy the awning accordingly, GM suggests in the document. This could be done using the surround-view camera systems already being built into vehicles to assist with parking, according to GM. Other onboard sensors used for driver aids, such as ultrasonic sensors and lidar, could also be used for the awning-deployment system, GM notes.
General Motors deployable awning patent image
The awning would be integrated with the roof of the vehicle and would be powered by an electric motor, according to the patent application, which also notes that LED lighting could be incorporated into the awning.
While Rivian has tried to patent a similar idea, it's version is a full canopy that deploys from a roof rack and appears to cover a larger area. So while GM's version addresses the practical concern of keeping people dry, Rivian's seems aimed more at camping or tailgating, fitting in with the active-lifestyle image of that automaker's electric SUVs and pickup trucks.