Ford researchers develop camera-equipped headlight system for better visibility

Researchers at Ford have developed a camera-based headlight system capable of widening ''the beam at junctions and roundabouts to better illuminate hazards that are not in the direction of travel. New Spot Lighting technology helps draw the driver's attention to pedestrians, cyclists and even large animals in the vehicle's path or even just off the road''.

''Many people who drive at night have had to quickly react to someone or something suddenly appearing in the road – as if from nowhere. Ford's Camera-Based Advanced Front Lighting System and Spot Lighting help ensure the driver is quickly alerted to people or animals that could present a danger,'' said Ken Washington, vice president, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, Practical Motoring reported.

According to Ford, ''The system also uses GPS information to better illuminate bends and dips on a chosen route. Where GPS information is not available the technology uses a forward-facing video camera mounted in the rear-view mirror base to detect lane markings and predict the road's curvature, using the information to illuminate the area more effectively''.

The technology, is likely to be available around 2018. Ford was also working on spot lighting, which uses an infra-red camera in the front grille to simultaneously locate and track up to eight people and bigger animals, including larger dogs, at a range of up to 120 metres.

When the system detects something ahead it highlights the people / animals on the navigation display, framing them in yellow or red, depending on how much of a danger they posed. Then special LED lamps next to the car's fog lights swing to the right or left, making the hazards easier to see.

The system is based on the company's development of the Adaptive Front Lighting System and Traffic Sign Recognition technology, which uses a forward-facing camera attached to the rearview mirror, and detects things like lane markings, traffic signs, and road curvature to better illuminate the road.

This makes sharp turns, roundabouts, bends, and dips easier to see, and also see them earlier. The lighting system also works with GPS, both to identify road characteristics for the driver, and record the information for the next time the driver uses the same route.