Ford announced on July 17, Friday that it is developing smart headlights with lighting tech that could help in front-end collision prevention. The cameras and Global Positioning System (GPS) of the setup allow drivers to spot road hazards on unlit streets better. The goal of the new tech represents a global trend that uses high-tech to boost driver safety in both the United States and internationally.
Ford's two new advancements were developed at its European Research and Innovation Centre. It is located in Aachen, Germany.
The first car safety tech is a camera front-lightning system. It widens the headlight beam, allowing drivers to spot walkers, cyclists, and animals better at intersections and curves.
GPS is the new system's first option. Plan B is a camera in the rear-view mirror that picks up lane markers and then adjusts the car's high beams based on the street's curves, or lights up road dips, according to Engadget.
Ford's second car safety innovation is "Spot Lighting." The system uses an infrared camera on the car's grill to detect and track the body heat of up to eight humans and large animals such as deer that are almost 400 feet (122 meters) away, according to Christian Science Monitor. It then highlights the people and objects on the vehicle's entertainment screen.
The automaker stated in its blog post that the new technology will help to detect people or things that seem to appear from "nowhere." It can then quickly alert drivers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in December that traffic deaths in the U.S. dropped about one-fourth from 2004 to 2014. Safety upgrades were a key factor.
New technology has included improvements in cruise control, smart headlights, and warning systems. Perhaps stability control has been the most critical change. It allows the driver to maintain control of the steering wheel, which in turn helps to prevent rollover.