Headlights project information on the road

Headlights project information on the road

Headlights could soon do more than just illuminate the road: Ford is trialling new headlight technology that can display information on the road. The new technology can, among other things, project information on speed limits or weather information onto the road, thus taking over the function of the head-up display.
By linking the headlamp to the navigation system, upcoming turning manoeuvres could also be displayed while the width of the vehicle is projected onto the road to help the driver assess whether the vehicle will fit through a narrow spot or into a parking space.
With appropriate online access, warnings are also conceivable, for example in case of snowfall, fog, icy roads or slippery roads. If the headlights are coupled with the navigation system, upcoming turns could be visible on the road. When parking, the width of the vehicle projected onto the road can show whether the parking space is large enough.
A similar system is already available from Mercedes-Benz. The headlights of the current C-Class can display symbols on the road surface. If the driver wants to change lanes, a bright arrow is projected onto the corresponding lane next to it.