To better protect pedestrians, Skoda is imagining new solutions with an intelligent robot and light panels in the grilles.
While occupant safety is one thing, pedestrian safety is another. But that’s not enough for Skoda, which is actively working to develop new security solutions. His latest findings revolve around an intelligent robot and luminous grilles, which interact with passers-by to more effectively secure pedestrian crossings.
On electric cars, the grilles have only a cosmetic role, since they no longer let air in to cool the radiator. Skoda has thus devised a solution to make them more functional than with a simple fixed light signature. According to the automaker’s vision, the grilles could be able to warn pedestrians about potential dangers before crossing.
A Skoda robot in addition to communicate with cars
This technology would also communicate with a new robot called IPA2X, an acronym for intelligent pedestrian assistant for all. It is a kind of crossing agent 2.0, equipped with LiDAR sensors and a mast to detect any approaching cars above parked vehicles. With light and sound warning devices, it will help anyone in difficulty to cross.
For the time being, these solutions seem rather superfluous. But they could make sense as cars become self-driving, according to the automaker. Which means they shouldn’t come out quickly. On the other hand, it appears that the animated grilles would be much closer. It remains to be seen whether they will not transform over time into huge luminous panels…
Read also
Audi wants to purify the air by sucking particles through the grille
