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Ford's New Smart Headlights For Tracking Objects At Night

Posted by samzenpus on from the all-the-better-to-see-you-with dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Headlights have been around since the 1880's, and while the source of their light has changed over the years, their functionality has remained virtually the same, until now. Ford has unveiled a new advanced illumination system that should make driving your car at night a lot safer. The new headlight system uses a standard and infrared camera to detect objects near the road. The new technology can locate and track up to eight people or animals up to 12 meters. Ford reports: "Building upon Adaptive Front Lighting System and Traffic Sign Recognition, the system interprets traffic signs to better illuminate hazards that are not in the direction of travel, and uses GPS information for enhanced lighting when encountering bends and dips on a chosen route. Where GPS information is not available, a video camera detects lane markings and predicts the road’s curvature. When next the driver uses the same road again, the headlights adapt to the course of the road automatically. We expect this technology to be available for customers in the near term."

4 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. Umm by Psychotria · · Score: 3, Insightful

    [...] and uses GPS information for enhanced lighting when encountering bends and dips on a chosen route [...]

    What about those of use who are really looking at least 1 turn ahead of the current turn/bend/dip? Nobody who can actually drive is actually looking at the current turn, so why highlight it?

    1. Re:Umm by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Nobody who can actually drive is actually looking at the current turn, so why highlight it?

      You should learn to drive before you lecture other people. Never outdrive your headlights. If that means you have to slow down to less than the posted speed limit, so be it. That's how you avoid driving over road obstacles at night, like rocks or animals. Now, in the future, watch where you're going.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  2. Not for USA by genka · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This system is developed by the European Ford division. We are unlikely to see it in States anytime soon because of the ancient DOT headlights regulations that are not ready for the latest innovations. Mercedes Benz developed a similar system a while ago.

  3. Automotive-oriented headline I'd like to see... by QuietLagoon · · Score: 3, Insightful
    "Automotive industry stops trying to turn vehicles into living rooms and entertainment centers, and starts focusing upon the improvement of car system security."

    .
    But I doubt if I'll ever see that headline in my lifetime....