Apple has been granted a patent for an augmented reality system designed to help users identify the correct ride-sharing vehicle. The patent, titled "Augmented reality interface for facilitating identification of arriving vehicle," addresses the common confusion that can arise in crowded areas when multiple cars are waiting.

This technology, which Apple has been developing since at least 2018, would use an iPhone's cameras to scan the surroundings. The device could then overlay indicators on the screen, guiding users to their specific car. This is seen as an advancement over current GPS-based methods, which can be inaccurate in dense urban environments or areas with tall buildings.

The patent also envisions a similar system for drivers to locate waiting passengers. While the technology could potentially be used with devices like the Apple Vision Pro, the patent primarily describes its application on an iPhone, drawing parallels to existing AR features in Apple Maps. Despite years of development, there is no immediate indication of when or if this feature will be released.