On Friday, November 8, 2013 12:25:02 AM UTC-5, Ralph Barone wrote:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/...ough-the-dark/

Oh good, more lumen wars! :-/

As usual with articles about increasing use of technology in cars (collision avoidance, lane departure warnings, and now auto-focusing headlights) the prime objective seems to be avoiding problems with other cars. There's some mention of pedestrians from time to time. Bicyclists are rarely mentioned, and I wonder if they're even considered.

As an example, the article mentions a "cone of darkness" directed toward other motorists. Will oncoming cyclists get the same auto-courtesy, or will our retinas be fried? How about pedestrians? I'm already assaulted by motorists who think more light from high beams, auxiliary lights, etc. is always better, with no consideration for others on the road.

And of course, auto-dimming or auto-aiming of headlights won't work if the road rises and falls, nor if the motorist dents his fender badly enough.

- Frank Krygowski