Zu autonomous Cars cannot make eye contact. Pedestrians who want to cross a street, for example, should therefore recognize the intentions of the vehicle on a display on the front of the vehicle. The Swedish electronics company Semcon has now introduced the corresponding technology. The so-called "smiling car" communicates with passers-by via a screen on the front of the vehicle, for example by using a stylized smile to let them know that they can cross the road.
In the future, the sensors used for pedestrian detection are to be refined so that they can detect even the smallest movements of pedestrians' heads, making communication even more secure. The manufacturer has not yet given any information on a possible market launch of the system, the technology is currently in the prototype stage. (Holger Holzer / SP-X)