Ford recently filed a patent that suggests using a car’s headlights as projectors to display games while it’s idle, such as charging an electric car. This innovation aims to make waiting time more interesting for all passengers by using Matrix LED lights to project high-quality gaming images onto the flat surface. By integrating existing controls and safety features, Ford ensures that work remains interactive and safe.

When headlights become spotlights

Ford recently filed for a patent for an innovative concept aimed at turning car waiting times into a fun experience, as CarBuzz from the US Patent and Trademark Office has discovered. In this patent, the car brand describes an ingenious system that uses the car’s existing hardware to provide an immersive gaming experience when the car is stationary. Ford offers a unique approach to use car headlights as projectors to display game images. The system uses matrix LED headlights, which provides exceptional image quality projected onto a flat surface. This idea aims to make in-car games more accessible to all passengers. While the use of in-car gaming is nothing new, Ford’s offering stands out with its innovative use of headlights. The blue oval even suggests that the intensity of the light can be adjusted to project sharper images, providing an even more immersive gaming experience.

Ford’s idea: safe fun

The main idea of ​​this initiative is to allow all passengers, not just the driver, to enjoy this entertainment during idle time, for example charging an electric car. Ford notes that while the current in-cabin screens can offer satisfactory image quality, they are not always well visible to all occupants, as they are essentially more driver-centric. This patent also suggests using existing controls such as steering wheels, touch screens or buttons to interact with games. Of course, an important security feature is also built into the system. If the vehicle starts moving for any reason, the game automatically stops and only resumes when the environment is deemed safe, and the vehicle stop would be confirmed. While the technology seems promising for reducing wait times, especially when charging electric vehicles, the speed at which the technology is evolving may question the long-term viability of the idea.

Nevertheless, innovation continues to define the future of the automotive industry, with unexpected ideas such as the integration of TikTok in a Mercedes-Benz car, illustrating the continuous evolution of the automotive landscape towards more connected and entertaining experiences.