Missed Opportunity #7: Incremental Brake Lights
Several years ago I was driving to work and brainstorming ideas for new automobile features that would improve the commuting experience. Some dealt with communication, some with comfort and entertainment, while others were for safety. One of the ideas was a cross between communication and safety.
I wasn’t satisfied with the binary nature of brake lights. When the brake lights go on, does it mean that the guy in front of you lightly tapped the pedal or slammed on the brakes to avoid a fender bender? The only way to know is by judging the speed at which you are gaining on him. Couldn’t a vehicle be more communicative, and wouldn’t that possibly increase your chances of avoiding a collision?
I imagined that the surface area of the brake lights could be enlarged, probably creating either one horizontal stripe across the back of the car, or two vertical bars on either side. Based on the pressure applied to the brake pedal, more or less of the area would be lit. The effect could be enhanced by a color change, and possibly a varying intensity.
Engadget just reported on a Virginia Tech student project that is exploring this very same concept.