Car headlights that detect cyclists

Ford is developing car headlights that detect cyclists and illuminate them automatically.

Conventional car headlights do a good job of illuminating the road directly ahead, but on a roundabout the driving direction changes in such a way that the light does not light up the road ahead in time.

The new headlight technology uses an infra-red camera in the car’s front grille to simultaneously locate and track up to eight people at a range of up to 120 metres. Once detected, the pedestrian or cyclist is illuminated by a spot light and an LED lamps marks a line on the road pointing in their direction. The highlighted person is displayed on a screen inside the car, marked in a red or yellow frame, according to their proximity and the level of risk

Other features include a widened beam at junctions and roundabouts to better illuminate potential hazards on the fringes of the road.

The system also uses GPS information to offer improved lighting on bends and in dips. Where GPS information is not available, the technology uses a forward-facing camera mounted in the rear-view mirror base to recognise lane markings and predict the road’s path.

 ETA breakdown cover

As well as being 100% carbon neutral, breakdown cover from the ETA offers an unparalleled level of service.

Established over 24 years ago, and with over 5,000 recovery trucks on call 24/7, we have a proven track record of providing efficient, reliable breakdown cover.

We handpick only the best local mechanics and garages around Britain to send out if you break down. We believe this way of working is efficient, environmentally friendly and helps supports local communities and economies, too.

On top of this, we offset the carbon emissions of the recovery trucks that go out to assist you, reducing the impact your breakdown has on our environment. Every breakdown policy you buy helps fund the work of our charity, the ETA Trust, which we set up in 1994 to campaign for a safer, cleaner transport future.