New technology to allow drivers to rely less on car lights?
Posted by Fiona Birkwood
Motorists of the future could rely less on their car lights when driving thanks to a technology being developed in the US.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have created a computer program that guides vehicles to stay in their lanes without having to be controlled by humans.
"We develop computer vision programs, which allow a computer to understand what a video camera is looking at – whether it is a stop sign or a pedestrian," explained Dr Wesley Snyder, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the university and co-author of a paper describing the research.
He went on to say that this new programme is different to other vision systems already out there as it maintains an awareness of a number of lanes, not just the one the vehicle is travelling in.
Last month, General Motors announced that it was developing a special windscreen system that uses infrared cameras and lasers to help motorists drive when visibility is low, regardless of whether they have their car lights turned on or not.
