Regarding driving technology and improving car safety, some pretty exciting and futuristic features are on the horizon. Just a few short decades ago, consumers relied on seatbelts and airbags alone. Fast-forward to today’s latest models, and there are surround cameras, automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring sensors keeping drivers safe.

Ford is previewing some of its newest technology. With its latest innovation, the blue oval automaker is taking head-up display technology to an entirely new level. Ford’s previewed headlights harness projection technology and can show drivers all kinds of driving information. It’s ground-breaking in improving car safety for the driver and everyone on the road.

Head-up displays have certainly come a long way

Can you believe head-up display technology has been around since 1988? It was intended to improve driving dynamics by providing key information as a projection within the driver’s line of sight. Motor1 shared that it was the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme that came equipped with HUD first, and it soon cleared a path for other brands. The Lexus LS came later, with a wide, 24-inch projection display. Other improvements, including sharper imaging and even more information to display, are being previewed even today.

More recently, Ford has been working on a new HUD variation of its own. Ford refers to it as “high-resolution” headlights, but there’s more. These newly previewed headlights will also project driver-critical information directly onto the road ahead.

Ford previews new projection headlight technology

Ford vehicles may soon be equipped with these new “high-resolution” headlights. Ford describes the technology as more than just a feature to illuminate the road ahead. Tying into the head-up display, the tech will project upcoming road signs, directions, and speed limits onto the oncoming road. 

Because these headlight projections display on the road ahead, they’ll be directly within the driver’s line of sight. Those driving will be alerted when signs and speed limits might not otherwise be clearly visible. This innovation is intended to improve car safety, not just for the driver but for other road participants as well.

When road markings have faded or are obscured, for example, it’s Ford’s new HUD-based headlights that will bring those details into view. Anticipating crosswalks is another advantage, especially in preventing pedestrian accidents. Additionally, these headlights could essentially light up a safe path for the driver to use to safely drive around cyclists.

Other innovations Ford is exploring

Ford believes there is even more room for improvement with HUD technology and providing better driving information to those behind the wheel. The blue oval automaker envisions more futuristic advancements, like having the headlights linked to a vehicle’s navigation system. This could be ground-breaking in providing alerts to the driver about slippery conditions, anticipated curves in the road, reduced visibility due to fog, and even ice on the pavement.

Today’s Ford vehicles already have many futuristic safety features, many of which are or will be considered standard equipment for most models. Sensor-managed innovations like intelligent adaptive cruise control with speed sign recognition, automatically slow the vehicle when speed reductions occur. Pre-collision assist technology allows your Ford vehicle to scan the road ahead and alerts you to potential obstacles. Auto emergency braking will warn and tap the brakes for you if you don’t react in time. A few of Kelley Blue Book‘s favorite safety features include the popular blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist innovations.

Ford’s recently previewed headlights are certainly taking head-up display technology to a new level of driving and car safety. No official word yet on when this “high-resolution” tech will be infused into the production line. Still, prepare for additional announcements and even more from the blue oval company regarding revolutionary advancements in car safety.