Narrowing the Focus

1.  Creating a system that allows the driver to digest more information allowing him/her to make better decisions at intersections.

-empowering the driver through this information, ie. the car lights up internally when pedestrians are around, increasing the presence of pedestrians

2.  Increasing the awareness of the pedestrian by manipulating the environment so that he/she becomes more sensitized to make better decisions at intersections.

-ie. the external part of the car tells the pedestrian whether the driver is speeding up or slowing down

-ie. the crosswalk lights as pedestrians cross

3.  Creating a system that increases the driver and pedestrian communication during difficult visibility, ie. night-time and dusk

Note:  during our meeting Friday we addressed the driver and pedestrian responsibilities on the road and perhaps another issue we could look at would be environmental structures, ie sidewalk space and using lighting systems to act as interface between the driver and the pedestrian.  

4.  Sidewalks, crosswalks, and intersections can be used as an interface to increase the communication between the driver and the pedestrian. 

What do you think of this angle?  We feel it hasn't been addressed in anybody's group yet and could get really creative... manipulating the environment of the intersection 

Volvo Researches Locust Swarms

Volvo is looking at locust swarms for inspiration on how to protect pedestrians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKKvMtcFgaU

Intelibeam

Intellibeam system consists of a digital light sensor that is located in a separate module that is mounted to the back of the inside rearview mirror.

The digital sensor detects light, not vehicle movement.

The Intellibeam system will turn OFF the high beam headlamps when other vehicles' headlamps or taillights are detected by the digital sensor.

Intellibeam modulates the high beam headlamps by gradually fading the high beam headlamps ON or OFF.

In the illustration above, vehicle "A" headlights are in the sensing area of Intellibeam (dashed green line), so the sensor will command the module to dim the high beams. When the oncoming vehicle reaches point "B" the high beams will come on again. When the sensor detects taillights like those on car "C", it will also turn off the high beams. (Click on the picture to get a better view)

Adaptive Front Lighting Through Diagrams

Two Images from the First Week

These images are from the first week we met in New York. I thought they were strong images we should keep in mind throughout our research.

Head-up Display

I stole this information from another groups blog, food for thought:

A head-up display, or HUD, is any transparent display that presents data without requiring the user to look away from his or her usual viewpont. The origin of the name stems from the user being able to view information with their head "up" and looking forward, instead of angled down looking at lower instruments.

Although they were initially developed for military aviation, HUDs are now used in commercial aircraft, automobiles, and other applications

Audi Side Assist System

This systems is great for our focus - intersections. If we could find a way to use this technology for the safety of pedestrians. Please take a look at this video it is brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HkeApU0kxs