Jan. 16, 2019—Reducing autonomous vehicle accidents during testing may be as easy as adding lighting to warn pedestrians, reported Insurance Journal. South Korean car parts firm Hyundai Mobis showcased what it calls its Communication Lighting concept at the CES show in Las Vegas last week.
The firm says autonomous vehicles outfitted with its Communication Lighting can detect a pedestrian from more than 450 feet away. Upon detection, headlamps project a bright red warning symbol indicating to the pedestrians that it's unsafe for them to move in front of the vehicle. When the vehicle reaches a complete stop, the headlamps project a crosswalk symbol onto the ground to indicate to nearby pedestrians that it is safe to proceed, according to the report.
As pedestrians clear the path of the vehicle, LED boards begin signaling when the vehicle is about to resume motion by counting down—similar to traditional crossing signs used today—while showing directional arrows that indicate the direction the vehicle intends to move.
