According to Reuters, foreign media reported that in May 2017, the interACT project was launched, and new international R&D initiatives received funding from the European Union. Over the next three years, Hella and its partners will explore how self-driving vehicles can effectively communicate with non-autonomous road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and traditional drivers.
Lighting plays a crucial role in facilitating communication between vehicles and humans. Michael Kleinkes, Vice President of Lighting and Innovation at Hella, stated, “However, today’s interior and exterior lighting is still far from replacing eye contact, gestures, or verbal communication. To address this, the company aims to develop a new system that enhances interaction between vehicles and people.â€
The first step for researchers is to identify the specific scenarios where communication is essential. They will then investigate the most effective methods—whether through projections, symbols, or color changes. Kleinkes emphasized, “It’s vital to ensure that vehicle communication remains smooth and intuitive.†Hella plans to create a prototype and integrate the lighting module into vehicles. For this, the company will collaborate with various partners across the entire value chain.
R&D is deeply embedded in Hella’s culture, focusing on cutting-edge technologies aligned with core trends in the automotive industry, including autonomous driving, connectivity, digitization, energy efficiency, electrification, and industrialization.
Hella is currently developing high-definition lighting systems, which are becoming increasingly important. In the future, these systems will offer more advanced features, enhancing safety and user experience on the road.
Editor: Yan Zhixiang
Wuxi Motian Signage Co., Ltd , https://www.makesignage.com