Ford Is Testing High-Resolution Headlights That Can Project Information on the Road Ahead
High-resolution headlights being tested in Europe could make nighttime driving safer. But the technology is unlikely to come to the U.S.
After your tires your headlights might be the single most important safety item on your car or truck. It is tough to be safe if you can’t see anything. And while the newer LED lighting systems of today are leaps and bounds better than the old, sealed beam units of yesteryear. There is still room for improvement. Ford Europe has recently announced that they are testing a new high-resolution headlight technology that could help make nighttime driving safer and less stressful than ever. These futuristic headlights do far more than just curve around bends or control high beams automatically. These new lights can project important information on the road ahead. Examples include driving directions, speed limits, and weather information. It is like Mario Kart in real life, only we doubt they will project Piranha Plants and Golden Mushrooms.
Another thing that we doubt is that we will ever see this technology in the U.S. The reason is we have over 1.3 million lawyers in this country, and none seem to be interested in helping us update our headlight laws. It was not until earlier this year that the U.S. finally approved adaptive driving beam headlights. The rest of the world had these for decades and even with this new approval our lights need to be dimmer than those used in Europe. So, we will need to sit on the sidelines and watch what the rest of the world comes up with. However, what Ford Europe has recently revealed is interesting enough to share here even if we won’t get the technology.
High-Resolution Headlights
The new technology allows the lights to project information on the roadway to help keep a driver focused on the road itself. Travel directions, weather conditions, and speed limits are obviously helpful. We would also love to see the lights indicate where potholes are or where a cop is hiding, but that might be hoping for a bit much. This technology takes HUD to a whole new level. HUD is visible to only the driver. But the headlights can be seen by the passenger to assist with directions. The light can also be seen by pedestrians and can even project a crosswalk on the road when it may be otherwise difficult to see.
Why?
“What started as playing around with a projector light and a blank wall could take lighting technologies to a whole new level. There’s the potential now to do so much more than simply illuminate the road ahead, to help reduce the stress involved in driving at night. The driver could get essential information without ever needing to take their eyes off the road.” Stated Lars Junker, features and software, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Ford of Europe. Besides projecting roadway information, the system can even project the width of the vehicle onto the road. This could help the driver determine if the vehicle will fit in a particular parking space. Based on some parking jobs we see everyday this would be a most welcomed advancement.
Thoughts?
What do you think of this new high-resolution headlight technology? Would you want it on your next Ford truck? If so, would you be willing to pay extra for it if it was offered as an option? Let us know your thoughts in the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums.
Join the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums now!
