Several headlight manufacturers have demonstrated shape-projecting headlights. The latest to do so is Hyundai Mobis, a parts provider controlled by Hyundai.
The goal is to improve nighttime driving safety by projecting text or images onto the road surface. It could also potentially warn pedestrians of hazards. The lighting system is connected to a vehicle’s GPS and onboard cameras, allowing it to show the appropriate information in a given situation. As an example, headlights could project a crosswalk sign for pedestrians or a roadwork sign when approaching a construction zone.
The system uses 25,000 LEDs along with a set of tiny mirrors. Each LED is 0.04 mm wide, which is thinner than a human hair, and the mirrors are just 0.01 mm wide. This enables a higher level of control in shaping the light projected by the many LEDs into specific shapes.
Other automakers that have demonstrated shape-projecting headlights include Mercedes and Ford. More information on the Hyundai Mobis headlights is available here.
Images: Hyundai Mobis
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