Road Messaging

Mercedes recently released its new DIGITAL LIGHT HD headlights, which can project images onto the road directly in front of the car. Each headlight is composed of over a million micro-mirrors that reduce road “dazzle” by adapting to ambient lighting conditions with greater precision than typical LED designs. But perhaps more importantly, they work with the vehicle’s onboard cameras, sensors and navigation system to enhance driver assistance systems.

For example, when other vehicles, people or objects are detected, the appropriate information is displayed within the driver’s field of vision and without taking their eyes off the road. Assistive graphics also include monitoring driving lanes, blind spots and speed limits as well as warnings about poor road conditions and construction sites.

The system is currently available in limited quantities only on Mercedes-Maybach S-class sedans. In the future, particularly as the industry trends toward autonomous driving, DIGITAL LIGHT will be able to communicate with other vehicles to further improve traffic safety.