Stellantis creates smart headlights that communicate with pedestrians
Stellantis has introduced a lighting system that allows cars to 'talk' to pedestrians and other road users. Lights in unprecedented colors and a front display indicate when the vehicle stops or yields, even without driver intervention.
Stellantis took advantage of the International Symposium on Automotive Lighting (ISAL), held in Darmstadt, to showcase one of its most striking innovations: headlights that not only illuminate the road but also convey clear messages to those around the vehicle.
The project, developed alongside Opel and the Technical University of Darmstadt, is materialized in an Opel Grandland prepared for level 3 autonomous driving, capable of detecting pedestrians and anticipating their movements.
"The headlights of the future will be a means of communication, not just a way to see and be seen"
How AI works in Stellantis headlights
The system uses artificial intelligence to identify potential risks and communicate through a language of colors. When the car is in autonomous mode, its turn signals light up in cyan, a clear signal that control is in the hands of the system.
If a person crosses its path, the main lights turn magenta and a front display shows an alert in that same tone while the vehicle slows down. Once stopped, the lights change to green and the silhouette of a pedestrian is projected, indicating that it is safe to cross.
Engineers chose cyan and magenta because they are colors that do not confuse with those commonly used in road signaling. "We wanted to avoid misinterpretations. These tones are not present in traffic and are easily recognizable", explains Julisa Le, head of innovation at Stellantis.
If the system cannot manage the situation, the driver receives a warning to take control, complying with safety protocols for automated driving.
More than three years of development
This technology, in development since 2022, is part of Stellantis' research strategy to enhance safety in autonomous mobility. According to Philipp Röckl, global head of lighting, the headlights of the future "will be a means of communication, not just a way to see and be seen".
With this prototype, Stellantis and Opel demonstrate that automotive lighting can become an essential element for the coexistence between autonomous cars and pedestrians, creating a safer and more understandable interaction for all.
Opel's lighting innovations currently available in various models include:
- Intelli-LED in the Corsa and Mokka.
- Intelli-Lux Matrix available in Corsa, Mokka, and Combo.
- Intelli-Lux Pixel Light introduced in the Astra and Astra Sports Tourer.
- Intelli-Lux HD Light debuting in the new Grandland.
Fotos: Stellantis