Autonomous Vehicle Communication Lighting
Autonomous vehicles must communicate their intentions clearly to other road users, yet traditional signaling mechanisms—turn signals, brake lights, and horn patterns—were designed for human drivers. Field studies show that pedestrians rely heavily on eye contact and subtle gestures from drivers, with up to 90% of crossing decisions influenced by these informal communications.
The central challenge lies in developing signaling systems that convey vehicle intentions unambiguously while remaining intuitive to human road users across varied cultural and environmental contexts.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including adaptive illumination systems, perimeter light displays that indicate vehicle status, directional communication arrays, and context-aware signaling protocols. These and other approaches aim to create a standardized yet naturally interpretable language for autonomous vehicle communication.
1. Intersection-Based Sensor System for Code-Based Autonomous Vehicle Guidance
SOFTBANK GROUP CORP, 2024
Notifying information to autonomous vehicles without relying on mobile network connectivity. The system uses sensors around intersections to monitor traffic conditions. Based on those conditions, it generates driving instructions for vehicles entering the intersection. These instructions are displayed as code information on signs around the intersection. The autonomous vehicles can capture the codes and decode them to obtain the instructions. This allows providing localized, real-time guidance to autonomous vehicles without requiring mobile connectivity.
2. Signal Detection and Response System for Autonomous Vehicle Interaction
Pony AI Inc., 2023
A system for detecting signals from other vehicles and pedestrians, determining appropriate responses, sending responsive signals, and reacting to received responses. This enables autonomous vehicles to respond to gestures, flashing lights, etc., from other road users indicating their intentions and also to initiate signaling to indicate their own intentions to others. It involves detecting signals, determining intended actions, sending response signals, and taking actions based on received responses.
3. Adaptive Headlight System with Sensor-Driven Variable Illumination Control
TuSimple, Inc., 2023
An adaptive illumination system for autonomous vehicles automatically adjusts the headlights to optimize visibility in low-light conditions. The system uses sensors to detect road conditions and determine if specific areas should be illuminated. If areas are deemed insufficiently lit, the headlights are adjusted to illuminate those areas. This adaptive illumination helps improve safety and visibility in dark environments, turns, tunnels, and bridges where sensors may not provide full coverage.
4. Autonomous Vehicle Communication System with Adaptive Visual and Auditory Signaling for Road User Interaction
ZAHNRADFABRIK FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, 2023
Communication system for autonomous vehicles to safely interact with road users like pedestrians and cyclists. The system uses visual and auditory signals from the vehicle to warn and guide nearby people. It adapts the signals based on risk assessments of identified road users. The signals are targeted, customized, and escalated to draw attention. The vehicle's environment perception system detects road users, determines scenarios, and calculates risk ratings. An embedded system processes the data to adapt and output signals via lights, displays, speakers, etc. This replaces direct human-to-human interaction lost in autonomous driving.
5. Autonomous Vehicle Communication System with Real-Time Pedestrian and Cyclist Recognition Displays
Continental Automotive GmbH, 2022
System for autonomous vehicles to communicate with pedestrians and cyclists to improve safety and trust. The system uses onboard sensors, computers, and displays to provide intuitive and unambiguous messages to vulnerable road users. It shows avatars of people crossing in real-time on the vehicle's exterior displays. This lets pedestrians see that the autonomous vehicle recognizes and is considering them. The displays also indicate if the vehicle is starting or stopping at a crossing. This enhances transparency and trust between the vehicle and vulnerable road users.
6. Vehicle Wireless Communication System with Predictive Intent Sharing and Negotiation via V2X
Qualcomm Incorporated, QUALCOMM INC, 2022
Wireless communication system for vehicles that allows predictive interactions between vehicles based on sensor data. The system enables vehicles to share intent and negotiate maneuvers using V2X communication before actions are taken. This allows early warning and coordination to prevent collisions. The system uses sensor fusion and machine learning to infer intent like exiting a parking space or opening a door before initiating the action. Vehicles can then proactively share this intent via V2X to nearby vehicles and pedestrians. If another vehicle detects a safety issue, it can request the vehicle to stop the action.
7. System for Projecting Visual Indicators of Autonomous Vehicle Actions onto Roadway Surfaces
HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED, 2022
Communicating autonomous vehicle actions to improve safety and coordination when sharing roads with humans. The system determines scenarios where visual cues are needed to convey upcoming actions like speed changes, stops, or maneuvers. It projects these cues onto the roadway using onboard projectors or nearby devices. The projections adjust based on terrain and nearby devices. This provides visible indicators of autonomous vehicle intentions to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers who may not have direct communication with the AV.
8. Autonomous Vehicle Communication System with Contextual Visual and Auditory Signaling for Road User Interaction
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2022
Interactive communication between autonomous vehicles and other road users to improve safety and reduce confusion. The method involves identifying the ORU, determining their state and context, and communicating an appropriate message back to the ORU using visual and auditory signals. The messages are synchronized and tailored to the ORU's location, vulnerability, and intentions. The visual signals can show ORU representations with increasing resolution as distance decreases, animated particles, converging lines, and projected safety zones.
9. Autonomous Vehicle System for Automatic Deployment of Emergency Roadside Signaling Devices
TUSIMPLE INC, 2022
Deploying emergency roadside signaling devices when an autonomous vehicle breaks down to warn other drivers. The system detects when the autonomous vehicle has stopped due to a malfunction, and then directs an onboard signaling device dispenser to place the devices on the roadside in locations specified by the control system. This ensures proper emergency signaling even if the vehicle can't be manually operated to place the devices. The dispenser may have its own positioning system to accurately place the devices. The system can also use predetermined placement criteria based on road type.
10. Autonomous Vehicle External Warning System with Sensor-Activated Signal Devices
General Motors Global Technology Operations LLC, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2022
System for autonomous vehicles to provide external warnings to other vehicles and pedestrians around them. The system uses the vehicle's sensors to detect objects and potential events. When an imminent event like a turn or lane change is determined, a specific warning device on the autonomous vehicle is activated to generate a visible or audible signal that can be seen or heard outside the vehicle. This allows nearby drivers and pedestrians to be alerted to the autonomous vehicle's intended actions, providing an equivalent to human gestures.
11. Integrated Sensor Apparatus with Acousto-Optic Prompting for Autonomous Vehicle Interaction
BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCI & TECH CO LTD, BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021
Sensor device for autonomous vehicles that has integrated sensors like lidar, radar, camera, GPS, etc., along with an acousto-optic prompting unit. The prompting unit can output visual and audible alerts to surrounding traffic participants using images and sounds. This allows the sensor device to not only collect road data but also interact with other road users. The integrated setup simplifies installation and maintains consistent sensor positions. The prompting unit connects to the vehicle controller via CAN bus to receive real-time analysis results.
12. Autonomous Vehicle Lighting Control System with Driver Override and Connection Verification
TUSIMPLE, INC., 2021
Controlling exterior and dashboard lights of an autonomous vehicle during autonomous operation to improve safety and compliance with laws. The system allows the driver's lighting commands to take precedence over autonomous system (ADS) commands. When the ADS wants to control the lights, it sends a message to the lighting controller. But if the driver issues a lighting command, that takes priority. This ensures the driver's intent is followed while still allowing autonomous lighting control. The lighting controller verifies connections before sending commands.
13. LED Control System for Autonomous Mode Indication in Vehicles
Lumileds LLC, 2021
Controlling LED lights on autonomous vehicles to visibly indicate when the vehicle is in autonomous mode versus manual mode. The system uses cyan LEDs from three groups: cyan-amber, cyan-red/amber, and just cyan. When the vehicle is in autonomous mode, all the cyan LEDs are activated to provide a distinctive cyan light. This allows the cyan to stand out as an indicator light while normal vehicle lights continue in their normal colors.
14. Autonomous Vehicle Lighting System with Directional Light Emission via Diaphragm and Lens Cone
Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2021
Lighting system for autonomous vehicles that enables targeted communication with other road users through customizable light signals. The lighting system has a single light module that can radiate light in different directions using a diaphragm device and a lens cone. A control unit receives surround sensor data to determine nearby road users. It then uses the light module to emit personalized light signals towards specific road users based on their positions. This allows directed light communication to supplement vehicle indicators and signals. The system reduces lighting complexity compared to vehicles with separate lights for each direction.
15. Roof-Mounted Lighting Unit with Variable Light Patterns for Indicating Autonomous Driving Modes
HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD., 2020
Lighting system for autonomous vehicles that helps pedestrians and other vehicles recognize the autonomous driving status of the vehicle. The lighting system has a roof-mounted lighting unit that displays variations in light to indicate different autonomous driving modes. This allows pedestrians and other vehicles around the autonomous vehicle to easily see if the vehicle is autonomously driving or being manually driven. The lighting system can vary the light pattern or intensity based on the autonomous driving level to provide visual cues to external observers.
16. Vehicle Lighting System with Dynamic Color, Intensity, and Flash Rate Based on Autonomous Status Data
Valeo North America, Inc., 2020
The vehicle lighting system communicates an autonomous vehicle's operating status to other vehicles and pedestrians using the vehicle's lights. The system changes the light's color, intensity, and flash rate based on the autonomous vehicle's status. This allows the vehicle's intent to be conveyed without the driver's visual verification. The lighting behavior is determined based on the autonomous driving system's data. The system can also adapt the lighting based on proximity to events and other vehicles.
17. Inter-Vehicle Communication System for Converting and Transmitting Event-Based Wireless Notifications
eBay Inc., 2020
Enabling direct communication between vehicles to share information like sensor data, driver actions, and messages that cannot be detected by nearby vehicles. The system converts events in a vehicle into wireless notifications, determines nearby vehicles to send them to, and displays received notifications in other vehicles. This allows vehicles to share sensor data, like objects ahead, with nearby vehicles. It also allows relaying events like braking or turning from one vehicle to others.
18. Autonomous Vehicle Notification System with Environmental Contextual Intent Indicators
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, 2020
Controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to people in its environment to communicate intent. The autonomous vehicle has sensors to detect people nearby. If it sees a person and plans to yield, it uses the vehicle's notification system (lights or sound) to indicate that it will let the person cross. If it sees a person and doesn't plan to yield, it uses the notification system to indicate that. The indicators can change color or other characteristics based on factors like time of day or weather. The goal is to provide clear signals to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers about the autonomous vehicle's intentions.
19. Autonomous Vehicle Perimeter Optical Fiber Status Indicator System
Valeo North America, Inc., 2020
Status indicator system for autonomous vehicles that provides visual cues to surrounding vehicles and pedestrians to communicate the autonomous vehicle's status. The indicator uses optical fiber panels or an optical signaling system around the vehicle perimeter. The indicator activates in predetermined illumination patterns based on vehicle factors like time of day, passenger count, and alerts. This allows for communicating autonomous vehicle status to other road users in a way that is distinct from traditional vehicle indicators.
20. Vehicle Light Ring with Sequential Illumination for Indicating Acceleration
Volvo Car Corporation, 2020
Improved communication between autonomous vehicles and surrounding people by providing visible indications of upcoming autonomous actions. The vehicle has a light ring around its circumference with multiple lights. When the vehicle is accelerating, lights sequentially turn on, starting at the front and moving backward. This intuitively communicates the acceleration to observers.
The patents featured here demonstrate a variety of methods, such as focused light communication, interactive systems that react to signals from other drivers, and screens mounted on roofs. These developments open the door to a future in which light signals are clearly and precisely sent between self-driving automobiles and their environment.
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