Stellantis SUV Removes Its Logo for Pedestrian Safety | Carscoops

      The prototype replaces its emblem with animated lights to enhance communication with pedestrians during autonomous driving.

      The semi-autonomous Opel Grandland employs colors and symbols to convey messages to pedestrians.

      In certain situations, cyan, magenta, and green take the place of traditional white LEDs.

      This has been developed internally by Opel in collaboration with TU Darmstadt University.

      As vehicles get closer to handling more driving responsibilities, how they interact with those nearby becomes more crucial. While technology allows for hands-free driving, it presents a new challenge: how can a car convey its intentions to people outside? In response, Opel has created a Grandland prototype equipped with a lighting system aimed at directly communicating with pedestrians.

      The test vehicle features Level 3 driver assistance, permitting the driver to disengage under specific conditions. However, once the vehicle takes over, an additional layer of communication is necessary to ensure pedestrians comprehend the car's intended actions.

      Lights as Communication

      The Grandland prototype includes an advanced camera system capable of detecting objects and gestures, paired with an AI-driven "intention prediction" feature. This enhancement enables the vehicle to better interpret real-world scenarios, such as when a pedestrian steps out from behind parked cars or a child runs onto the street to chase a ball.

      While operating under Level 3 autonomy (or above), the SUV’s front and rear indicators illuminate in cyan, a color chosen because it is not linked to any other vehicle function. When a pedestrian is detected ahead, the vehicle begins to slow down, and the LED headlights switch from white to magenta.

      Additionally, a small display that typically shows Opel’s Blitz logo can present a warning or display a pedestrian and a stop gesture. Once the vehicle comes to a halt, the LEDs turn green, and the display indicates a walking figure. In more complicated scenarios where the AI struggles to determine the next step, the driver receives a prompt to regain control of the vehicle.

      Rethinking Lighting

      Philipp Röckl, Global Lead Lighting at Stellantis, elaborates on the project’s concept:

      “Headlights are vital for improving road safety, but modern lighting systems can achieve much more. For instance, lighting signatures can be animated and utilized for various expressions. The illuminated Blitz on the Grandland can be replaced with a screen that simultaneously showcases the lit emblem and communicates with pedestrians and other road users. By employing existing lighting elements, we can easily incorporate communication features as we advance autonomous driving capabilities in our vehicles.”

      This unique Grandland, with its innovative equipment and lighting options, adds to a range of prototypes and production models from various manufacturers exploring similar issues.

      The model was developed at Opel’s headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, and presented at the International Symposium on Automotive Lighting (ISAL) in Darmstadt. It is a result of collaboration between the Opel Concept Workshop and students from TU Darmstadt.

      Stellantis and TU Darmstadt have established a strategic partnership focused on researching new lighting technologies since 2022. Through this partnership, the automaker is currently supporting three doctoral students in the university's Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.

      Julisa Le, Stellantis’ Lead Innovation Engineer, noted:

      "We specifically selected colors that are not already tied to other vehicle functions to prevent confusion. For instance, while red is universally recognized as a stop signal, it is already in use for brake lights or taillights. Colors like cyan and magenta have been thoroughly assessed for their perception and do not appear in current traffic scenarios, ensuring clear and direct communication with other road users."