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Mercedes' Futuristic Headlights Shine Warning Symbols On the Road (gizmodo.com)
In its new high-end vehicles, Daimler says it will introduce programmable, "million-pixel" headlights that project warning symbols and driving tips on the road. "The technology, which Daimler calls Digital Light, was demoed as a concept ten years ago, but at the Geneva Motor Show it's finally being introduced as a feature that's 'expected' to be available on certain Mercedes-Maybach S-Class vehicles sometime this year," reports Gizmodo. From the report: Sitting alongside the vehicle's standard headlights are a pair of small monochrome projectors that each feature "a resolution of over one million pixels," Daimler claims, resulting in an "HD-quality" image being projected onto the road surface ahead of the vehicle. Using data from the car's onboard sensors, as well as traffic and obstacle data that GPS devices rely on, the headlights project symbols like a snowflake indicating slippery conditions ahead, a construction symbol reminding drivers to slow down for road workers, arrows for where to turn, and even simple white lines representing the size of your vehicle so you can immediately tell if you're able to squeeze into a narrow parking spot. The ability to selectively switch off pixels means the S-Class' headlights could help drivers avoid blinding oncoming vehicles or pedestrians, as onboard sensors detect faces and windshields and automatically dim the brightness in those areas.
You should be letting other drivers know where you are going anyway, it's called using a turn signal.
But then other motorists will read your sexting and see your junk.
I was thinking more about stay straight for 30 miles. Then turn right you have reached your destination.
Turn signals are to tell people what you are going to be doing with your car. Vs telling where you car wants to be. Also this could give confusing information if the car says turn right and you decide to ignore that particular GPS request so the onlookers don't know if you just didn't use your turn signal, or you are going straight.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Current regulations are in the shape of 'no more than 55W (assuming halogen and ignoring more efficient lighting options that would produce far more light at that power level), light bundled in shape X'.
As a result, modern headlight systems are usually fine when viewed from straight ahead, but become uncomfortably bright when viewed from an angle (encountering such a vehicle on a curvy road, or cresting a hill). All too often I can't see shit because of that.
This is really bizarre. I'm not sure why projecting onto the road is better than using tried-and-true technology like HUD (Heads up Display). Surely it would be better to project warnings etc. via HUD vs. onto the road? I have a HUD in my BMW and it is one of those technologies that I found genuinely useful and non-obtrusive.
For example, it shows turn by turn directions projected onto my windscreen, so I don't have to move my eyes or head. The location is just perfect and doesn't obstruct anything.
Would be great if we could understand the rationale Daimler used to project vs. HUD. I'm sure there's a reason, I just can't figure out what it would be.
Watch this get turned into political messages, bad bumper sticker clones, and worse: advertising.
And for those that shine dick pics: make sure the finish of your car can be protected from deep key scratches. I sadly know a couple of people who wouldn't hesitate..... or cut you off with millimeters to spare.
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