Opel develop car headlamp system directed by driver’s eyes.
This third generation of automotive adaptive lighting will be introduced after the current, widely-praised and multi-award-winning AFL+ bi-xenon system which features up to 10 lighting functions available in most Opel models. Opel’s LED matrix lighting system will soon go into series production too.
“We’ve been pursuing this concept of controlling the direction and intensity of light based on where the driver is looking for around two years. The more we understand the benefits of this technology, the more we push ahead with our joint project,” says Ingolf Schneider, Director of Lighting Technology at Opel, describing the unique collaboration between Opel’s International Technical Development Center and the Technical University of Darmstadt.
The aim was to develop a simple system suitable for use in a production vehicle. In contrast to high-performance eye-tracking systems requiring five to 10 cameras, a simple webcam was at first used. Focused on the driver’s head, it scanned prominent points, such as the nose and eyes, to detect movement and thereby the driver’s line of sight.
The system then translated the information into data commands for electronically-controlled actuators, which quickly aligned the vehicle’s headlamp projectors. While this technique came very close to achieving eye-control of the headlamps, calculation of data still took too long and the recording rate of the webcam was also too slow to meet the demanding requirements of road traffic conditions.
ALL NEW TWINGO
The All-New Renault Twingo has been awarded the title of “Best Answer to the City Car Dilemma” in the 2015 GQ Car Awards. Renault’s city car is one of just eight production cars to pick up an award and, at a third of the price of the base model of the next most affordable car, the stylish and practical Twingo looks perfectly at home amongst its supercar and exotica peers.
GQ said of the Twingo: “There’s more to the Twingo than the de rigeur small-car visage and graphics. It’s powered by a frothy little rear-mounted, three-cylinder turbocharged engine; an unusual setup that improves interior space and adds a welcome USP. Fun, in a nutshell.”
All-New Twingo has now picked up several major awards including the ‘City Car of the Year’ in the 2014 TopGear Magazine Awards.
The All-New Twingo went on sale in Ireland in September 2014 winning critical praise for its charm, looks, clever packaging and innovative rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout.
The Twingo, now in its third generation, is available with a choice of two petrol engines, three trim levels, including many personalisation options and is priced from €13,990.
