Skoda showcases new grille display to help pedestrians
Wed, 12 Apr 2023
Škoda has unveiled new technology that displays signals to pedestrians through the car's grille, indicating when it is safe to cross the road.
The car manufacturer is testing a range of symbols for pedestrians, including green arrows and a green person, as well as a warning triangle and a red triangle with a cross. These symbols can be programmed onto the LED strip holders, which are controlled separately and can create unique animations.
The system replaces the Škoda Enyaq iV's backlit Crystal Face grille and it warns pedestrians in advance when the car has spotted them approaching a pedestrian crossing.
Once the car comes to a stop, it displays green arrows or a green person to indicate to pedestrians that it is safe to cross. When the pedestrians have crossed the road and the car is about to set off, a different signal is displayed to warn them that the car is moving.
The technology will also alert pedestrians when the car is unable to stop, sending a clear signal not to cross.
According to the Department for Transport in the UK, there were over 16,000 pedestrian accidents reported in 2021, leading Škoda to develop the technology as part of a wider trial scheme to make roads safer for vulnerable road users.
Changes to the Highway Code in 2022 have created a new hierarchy of road users, giving priority to pedestrians at zebra crossings, with drivers set to face fines and points if they fail to stop. The use of technology such as the signalling radiator grille could be a step towards reducing the number of pedestrian injuries on the road.
Alongside the signalling radiator grille, Škoda has also developed a robotic rover called IPA2X to help children, seniors and people with disabilities cross the road safely. The robot, over two metres tall, looks like a mobile traffic light that makes its way to the middle of a pedestrian crossing.
It displays a green light to pedestrians, indicating it is safe to cross, and shows approaching drivers a stop sign.
The robot sends a warning to the car itself, which is displayed as an animation on the infotainment display. Once the pedestrians have crossed the road, the robot goes back to the kerb, and the alert on the car's dashboard disappears.
The IPA2X has sensors located two metres high, enabling it to detect when a car is approaching the crossing, even when it is obstructed by parked cars.
The robot is constantly monitoring its surroundings, and it can detect if it is safe to go out onto the road. Future developments of the robot are set to include audio warnings.
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