Ford has developed new glare-free high beam technology that enables drivers to take full advantage of their headlights’ capability without affecting oncoming vehicles.
The headlight technology features a camera mounted to the windscreen that senses the headlights and rear lights of other vehicles on the road, including cyclists, up to 800 metres away. The headlight system then angles the light away in order to avoid temporarily blinding other road users.
Developed by a global team of Ford engineers and supplier partners, the technology works alongside Ford’s adaptive LED headlights and its auto high beam system. This system adjusts headlight beam angle and intensity according to speed, ambient light, steering angle, distance to the vehicle in front and windscreen wiper activation.
Glare-free high beam is available now for the new S-Max and Galaxy. The technology will also be offered on the recently unveiled Edge SUV.
Speaking to Autocar, Ford said the technology is being made available on its largest cars first, with a view to adding it to its smaller models in the future. However, nothing has yet been confirmed.
The AA commended Ford's introduction of this system, with president Edmund King OBE adding: “Road users being dazzled by the use of vehicle full beam is an increasing problem in the UK and is said to be the cause of hundreds of road accidents and around 10 fatalities each year. It is testament to Ford for offering this advanced feature to their customers to help tackle the issue.”
Ford of Europe research engineer Michael Koherr added: “We found that some drivers are so concerned about dazzling other road users that they don’t use high beam at all. Ford’s glare-free high beam technology can remove that stress for drivers and help maximise the use of high beam – without causing any distraction to other road users and softly transitioning between settings to help the driver’s eyes adjust faster to changing quantities of light.”
Join the debate
Add your comment
Ford LED recall.
As a wheelchair user it takes a lot of hard work for me out of night driving.
My right hand has control of the throttle and break and my left hand steers the car.
Using the dip switch was always difficult for me. so the auto dim lights was like have the birthday present you always wanted.
Ford have recalled the headlights and after having this recall done its terrible and I wonder if the garge have done something wrong.
Following a car there is a big black void in front of me and when an approching car passes the lights seem to swish left and right befor settling down.
I now think I have wasted all that extra money.
Is this a fault or is it the new anti dazzle that some drives wanted.
Just like VX then
Dazzle free
It is illegal to dazzle other road users, I was taught to dip the beam before you actually physically saw the headlights of the vehicle coming towards you, not anymore, many people either dip them after they have already dazzled you, or, leave them on, even after you flash your full beam at them, to dip them :0(. Have you noticed all the drivers on the motorway and dual carriageways, who drive on full beam all the time. Worst thing about it, when you flash for them to dip their headlights, most just ignore it (if someone is flashing their full beam at you, it means your dazzling them, even if you think your not, because you've got the latest anti-dazzle full beam headlights, so dip them please).
That's before you take into consideration all the idiots driving around with illegal xenon HiD kits in headlights that were never designed for such bright outputs and then they top it off by also having the fog lights on as well.
New Volvo and Mercedes cars seem to be the worst for dazzling. So how do these lights pass uk legislation ? I'm all for technology and making driving safer etc, but, Most drivers, drive very little in the dark, for relatively short periods, they may not encounter these new headlights that often, I drive over 100,000 miles a year, for a living, mostly at night and I'm fed up of these so called anti dazzle full beam headlights, they dazzle..