For drivers, there are few things more annoying than being blinded by oncoming traffic.
But that could be all be in the past thanks to a new technology developed by Ford that aims to snuff out rogue headlights.
Ford has lifted the lid on the Glare-Free Highbeam, a new system that effectively deletes full-beam lighting that would otherwise blind fellow road users
It’s all thanks to a windshield-mounted camera that detects headlights and taillights of vehicles – and bicycles – up to 800-metres away. The system then uses specially developed headlights to block outgoing light that could dazzle other drivers.
“Road-users being dazzled by the user of vehicle full-beam is an increasing problem in the UK,” explains Edmund King OBE, AA President, “and is said to be the cause of hundreds of road accidents and around 10 fatalities each year.”
The new technology is compatible with existing lighting systems in several Ford vehicles, including the Ford S-MAX, Galaxy, and on the upcoming Ford Edge SUV.
“Ask any driver what the most annoying habits of other drivers are and sooner or later the subject of people who don’t dip their headlights will come up,” says Michael Koherr, Lighting Systems research engineer at Ford.
“Ford’s new Glare-Free Highbeam helps maximize the use of high beam and means drivers can see significantly more of the road ahead – without causing any distraction to other road users.”
