Skoda is working on a new technology to increase pedestrian safety when crossing the street. The idea uses a small robotic rover and LEDs on the front grille of an electric SUV to show pedestrians when it is safe to cross using various indicators and symbols.
A green arrow, a green figure, or a red alert with triangles are just a few examples of symbols that can be set to appear on the grille's LED strips. The Enyaq iV illuminated crystal face grille will be replaced with this pixelated display, which is meant to be simple to grasp by pedestrians and inform them when it is safe to cross.
The proposal is divided into two parts: the front grille of the electric SUV will include LED strips that can display symbols like a green arrow or a red alert with triangles to let pedestrians know when it is safe to cross. In the second portion, a two-meter-tall robot dubbed "IPA2X" rolls to the centre of the road to manage the crossing in a way accessible to kids, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
The robot has sensors to monitor its surroundings and a display that can tell oncoming cars to slow down, stop, and convey information to pedestrians. The robot rolls back to the curb once pedestrians have crossed and signals to drivers that they can continue.
In India, where the infrastructure for improving road safety for pedestrians sometimes needs improvement, the new technology created by Skoda may be beneficial. By indicating when it is safe for people to cross, the LED grille display and the IPA2X robot can reduce misunderstanding and minimise accidents at junctions.
Although this technology is still in its early stages of development, it has the potential to enhance interaction between vehicles and pedestrians in regions with high traffic volumes. However, it needs to be clarified when this technology will be used. It could be a useful tool to improve road safety in India. The comments section below invites readers to express their thoughts on this technology.
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