Test drive without a salesperson: GM patents a digital sticker on the glass

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General Motors is exploring ways to make the car-buying process more self-directed. The company has been granted a patent on a digital window sticker that can display vehicle information and be used in a test-drive scenario without constant involvement from a salesperson.

The technology is detailed in patent US12175908B1. The system selects a digital image, determines where to display it on the glass surface, and projects it through an in-car display so the information is visible from the outside. The document specifically notes that if the image contains identifying or authorisation information, it can be placed in the lower part of the windshield. For ordinary images, the rear window or another chosen area is permitted.

For dealers, the setup could replace the familiar paper sticker on the window. Instead of a static sheet, the buyer would see shifting data: trim, price, the specifics of the particular car, instructions, or access credentials. The patent also states that the image can be picked from the user’s personal library or from an online app store, and the system is able to take into account the vehicle’s contextual data, user settings, and even identification of the person inside the cabin.

The most interesting part for buyers is the prospect of a test drive without a salesperson. If the digital sticker can display authorisation data, the dealer would in theory have a tool for verifying access to a specific car and handing over part of the service information without personal supervision. Paperwork, insurance, and safety rules are not waived, but the wait shortens and the process moves closer to a self-service format.