For the past couple of years, we’ve been hearing reports of Mercedes-Benz working on a smart headlights system that can project information on the ground as well as be smart enough to not blind other drivers. For the most part this existed as a concept, but in an announcement by Daimler (Mercedes-Benz’s parent company), that concept is now a reality.These smart headlights are more or less equivalent to a digital projector, in which it can control how and where the light is being shone. There are built in sensors that help to determine exactly how bright the lights should illuminate, which in turn will help prevent glare and accidentally blind oncoming cars or pedestrians at night.
According to the company’s press release, “With over 1 million pixels per headlamp, DIGITAL LIGHT can create the ideal light conditions in every driving situation. The onboard camera and sensor systems detect other road users. Powerful computers evaluate the data and give the headlamps instructions to distribute the light to best effect in all situations. To avoid dazzle as far as possible, the light is dimmed when oncoming traffic, vehicles ahead, other road users and traffic signs are detected.”
Unfortunately for now these smart headlights will be limited to the top of the line Mercedes-Maybach S-Class vehicles, which means that not all cars will feature them just yet. However we suppose over time as demand grows and as the tech gets more affordable, perhaps we’ll see it brought over to the rest of the company’s lineup.
Filed in . Read more about Mercedes Benz.