The lights of the cars of the future can serve as important communication tools – Živé.sk

Modern diode technologies bring the possibility of projecting shapes onto the road surface, which can be used in several ways. Ford introduced its own version of LED headlights projecting onto the road. A similar system was already presented by Mercedes-Benz, other companies such as Osram, Continental and Plastic Omnium are also working on it. Drivers can use symbols or signs to communicate with each other, but also with pedestrians. The degree of applicability to traffic will only be proven by real tests. The era of diodes freed the hands of car designers and at the same time brought lights capable of illuminating the road without dazzling other drivers. In addition, with the growing number of LED modules, it also brought projection possibilities. Among other things, Ford is experimenting with this technology, as reported in a press release. The blue oval spoke about the innovative solution without specific details. This alternative to the head-up display can be used for navigation tasks, but also as a system to warn the driver about the maximum permitted speed or slippery road. photo gallery This is how Ford styles the warning before the roundabout. Source: Ford Ford also mentions the possibility of designing a passage visible not only to the driver but also to pedestrians. Several potential functions of advanced LED lights fall under augmented reality, for example, the ability to “draw” missing lines on the road at its edges. Several car manufacturers are using similar technology today, but for now mainly for decoration. A typical example is the brand logo projected onto the ground from the rearview mirror. This space can also be used functionally, for example to warn other drivers when opening the door from the inside. Mercedes-Benz and other companies Ford was not the first to come up with the idea of ​​using diodes for projection. Already in 2016, Mercedes-Benz presented it on the S-class concept, which refers to the technology as Digital Light. Originally, she presented various graphics and inscriptions. At the same time, she stated that her technology can also handle film screening. photo gallery Lights projecting onto the road have already entered series production. Source: Mercedes-Benz In the meantime, the German company has moved from experimental prototypes to serial production, and has begun to assemble the design solution into its flagship. Its drivers, who are willing to pay an additional 2,268 euros for them, are already encountering various symbols or highlighting the edges of the road. In this case, each LED headlight contains up to 1.3 million micromirrors, so the total resolution reaches 2.6 million pixels. Other companies are also interested in projection lights. In 2019, the giant Continental talked about them, which worked on them together with the manufacturer of light bulbs and other lighting elements Osram. According to the details at the time, the headlight developed as part of this cooperation had 4,096 independently controllable diodes. In the case of the second generation of its Eviyos system, Osram claims up to 25,600 pixels on one lamp. The company Plastic Omnium is also experimenting in this area, which sees their future also in autonomous cars. In addition to the exterior projection, he works with proposals for the use of technology directly in the cabin. Diodes projecting images or interior surface colors can complement or replace the classic form of LED lighting, or some displays. photo gallery Exterior projection can be important for autonomous cars. Source: Plastic Omnium Lights taken to a new level Simple projection of the car company’s logo on the road has found its fans, but in case of advanced use of technology, it can bring much more benefit than this stylish element. An example is a direction light passing from the body to the road or a function that alerts other drivers to the presence of a pedestrian crossing the road. The lights of the cars of the future can thus serve as important communication tools. Thanks to intelligently controlled diodes, they can move to a completely new level from the classic use of turn signals or flashing in the case of giving priority or warning. Only practical tests will show the true degree of applicability of this solution. With today’s road traffic density, it cannot be ruled out that the mass use of projection lights would create a visual chaos on the asphalt that does not benefit any driver or pedestrian. So far, it seems that, at least in some cases, this technology is able to bring benefits in the area of ​​security or user-friendliness.