Ford Lights Up V2X Communications for Autonomous Cars

Ford Motor Co. plans to begin testing a system in Miami this autumn that enables self-driving cars to signal their movement intent to other road users.

The carmaker already has tested the technology with people participating in virtual simulations and demonstrations in conjunction with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Ford, which says it’s willing to share the results with other carmakers and suppliers, is calling for companies to work together to develop an industry standard for such communications to help facilitate the introduction of next-generation vehicles capable of Level 4 autonomy.

Ford’s prototype system features a light bar located at the top of a vehicle’s windshield. Described as a “self-driving intent interface,” the system has three modes. A steady, white rectangle indicates a vehicle is moving. Two converging white rectangles indicate a vehicle is yielding or stopping. And a rapidly pulsating white rectangle indicates that a vehicle is about to begin moving.

While some other developers are experimenting with text-based systems, Ford favors the light system because it can be quickly communicated and understood by a wide variety of people—including young children, illiterate adults and non-English speakers. The company has been conducting research on such systems for three years in the U.S. and Europe.

The system is designed to help autonomous vehicles replicate what human drivers do through eye contact and informal hand gestures. The technology does the same for pedestrians and cyclists but in all cases doesn’t recommend how they should proceed.

During the virtual tests, participants required between five and 10 exposures to fully understand the meaning of all three lighting patterns, Ford says. The carmaker also notes that the system doesn’t appear to lead to any unsafe behavior—such as crossing in front of a moving vehicle or one that’s about to move.

By collaborating with other companies, along with trade groups such as SAE International and the International Organization of Standardization, Ford aims to standardize the placement of intent interfaces on a vehicle, design of the signals and the color of light used.