WATCH: Ford UK reveals new headlight technology

Ford UK announced that engineers from the Blue Oval brand are trialing new headlight technology that could help ensure those behind the wheel literally keep their eyes on the road. The new technology, per the European arm of the American automotive company, can project directions, speed limits, or weather information onto the road so the driver’s focus can remain fixed on the road ahead.

“Night-time can be riskier for driving. In the UK, 40 percent of collisions happen in darkness, even though there are far fewer people driving than in the daytime. This risk is increased whenever a driver takes their eyes off the road. A vehicle traveling at 90 kilometers per hour (kph) covers 25 meters per second, meaning even a short glance at the navigation on the in-car screen can result in ‘driving blind’ for ten meters or more. On an unlit road, this could potentially mean missing an important sign or a bend in the road,” Ford UK said in a recent press release.

Ford Europe released a short clip showcasing the new high-resolution headlights on their YouTube channel. You can check it out here.

Projecting information onto the road using high-resolution headlights could benefit other road users too. For example, a crosswalk could be projected onto the road, both for the view of the driver and the pedestrian, in situations where the existing road markings are faded or unclear. Other possibilities include showing a path for the driver to follow to ensure cyclists are passed at a safe distance.

The technology, explained Ford, could provide the driver with information about changes in weather, such as snow falling, fog, slippery conditions, or an icy road ahead. Connecting the headlight to the navigation system could display upcoming turns, while the width of the vehicle could be projected onto the road, helping the driver to judge whether the vehicle will fit through a gap or into a parking space.

“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,” commented Lars Junker, Features and Software, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Ford of Europe. 

Photos from Ford

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