Although self-driving cars are becoming more popular, it’s very likely that they are not the only vehicles on the road in the next couple of decades. Therefore, it’s important to consider how intelligent technologies can also improve the safety of traditional cars.
Headlights are one the most critical parts necessary for driving safety, but they have not changed much in recent years. There is a lot of room for improving headlights by using smart technologies and sensors. For example, one of the biggest problems with current headlights is that they are not very efficient, and sometimes they even become dangerous. They produce a lot of glare which can blind other drivers and pedestrians. This makes it difficult to see at night and can even cause accidents. However, intelligent headlights can help to improve safety for all drivers by using sensors to detect oncoming traffic and adjust the light accordingly. In addition, intelligent headlights could also change colour to indicate when a driver is braking or turning, making it easier for other drivers to react appropriately. This technology is not yet widely available, but it has the potential to improve safety on the roads greatly.
The other problem is that at night, or during bad weather conditions, it can be challenging to see with current headlights. However, headlights that use artificial intelligence and smart sensors could make it easier to see and drive under these conditions. For example, new headlights can use smart technologies to adjust the beam pattern based on weather conditions and the surrounding environment. In addition, new cars are all or will be connected to the Internet and can receive real-time data about roads. This provides a great opportunity to improve headlights. For instance, if there is a sharp turn ahead, smart headlights can adjust their beam direction based on the GPS and camera sensors’ data to provide better visibility.
Moreover, new cars may adjust headlights beam pattern and intensity based on drivers’ eyesight and other pre-diagnosed health conditions they may have. This is especially important for elderly drivers or those with poor vision to prevent accidents. However, one may ask, how this information may be obtained to be used by Al algorithms later? Well, we are already collecting a vast amount of data from ourselves every day. For example, many smart devices such as phones and watches already have sensors to detect a user’s heart rate and other health data. The government also keeps a record of our eye exams every time we need to update our driving licence. Therefore, it’s might not very difficult to design a mechanism for an authorized person to manually enter information about these conditions after a new car sale. Alternatively, this information can be obtained and updated automatically by connecting the car’s computer to the government’s records for driving licenses remotely.
Finally, another problem with current headlights is that they can be difficult to use. They often need to be manually adjusted, which can be a hassle for some drivers, particularly those who are new to driving. Also, although driving laws are very similar in many countries, there are still slight differences that can make it difficult for drivers to know how to use their headlights properly when they are driving in a new country. However, smart headlights can be automatically adjusted based on the location and time of day, making it easier for drivers to see and be seen no matter where they are.
We are just on the cusp of a new era in automotive lighting and it is evident that intelligent technologies have the potential to improve traditional headlights in a number of ways. However, the important question is whether these new intelligent headlights will be able to gain widespread adoption. Only time will tell.
