Maybe I'm wrong but didn't BMW already have this? They call it "Adaptive Brake Lights". Not sure what options packages you need to get it but it already exists:
"Adaptive Brake Lights Bumper-to-bumper collisions most often occur when the driver behind you didn't realize how hard you were braking. Our Adaptive Brake Lights help eliminate that scenario by emitting a larger, brighter light the more force you use. It allows those behind you to clearly see whether you"re lightly tapping the brakes to slow down or applying full force for a sudden stop."
That's really cool! Too bad most people don't know about it (I didn't) and wouldn't think to see how bright the lights are to see if the person is slamming their breaks or not.
Something like this was tried by the San Francisco Municipal Transit system in the 1980's. If I remember correctly, drivers were so mesmerized by the lights that they rear-ended the busses. The system was changed to a steady light like the 3rd brake light on all cars today.
This is still on most of the buses I see in the San Diego area. If the driver presses the pedal hard enough the brake lights will blink. It looks the same as when they have the hazards on. I've also seen this on a Rav4 but I think this was some sort of mod added by the owner, I found it obnoxious. This may just lull people into following closer since they have a batter idea of what the asshat in front of them is doing. Could be bad.
Trevor Bayliss demo'd this in the UK many years ago - I remember because I'd thought of it beforehand and thought I'd be a millionaire so I was gutted when I saw it on TV. In hindsight - I was never likely to make any money out of something so blindingly obvious. One thing though - the weight on the brake pedal isn't the variable I'd choose to light the LED's, the decelleration would vary depending on the manufacturer, car age, tyre condition etc. I'd have it linked to an accelerometer instead to give a real indication of how quickly the car is actually slowing down.
This is old news, I even thought I invented this idea ~10 years ago now. Simple LED strip that would illuminate more LEDs the hard the brake pedal was pushed. Started looking into getting patents and what not to find that it was already accepted patents since before 1985.
Yes, I was going to say the same thing. Recently saw this when checking out the BMW web-site.
I can also remember years back someone come out with a module that would make your (secondary) brakelights or rear-foglights blink during heavy breaking. Especially useful during fog. But the European laws wouldn't allow it.
On another note, I see this being used on schoolbuses. Orange brake lights when they use their air-brake, red on full brakes.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris @ Mar 26th 2008 10:42PM
Maybe I'm wrong but didn't BMW already have this? They call it "Adaptive Brake Lights". Not sure what options packages you need to get it but it already exists:
"Adaptive Brake Lights
Bumper-to-bumper collisions most often occur when the driver behind you didn't realize how hard you were braking. Our Adaptive Brake Lights help eliminate that scenario by emitting a larger, brighter light the more force you use. It allows those behind you to clearly see whether you"re lightly tapping the brakes to slow down or applying full force for a sudden stop."
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Uniquely/Innovations/Safety.aspx
Nick @ Mar 26th 2008 10:44PM
Yes, I believe that this is standard on all BMW vehicles from 2007 on. However, they are only two stage.
Carlos @ Mar 26th 2008 11:02PM
yeah it has already been done, i'm sure the folks at BMW thought past their two stage system already and just havent implemented it yet.
not trying to take anything away from these kids but its not exactly new stuff.
2Shea @ Mar 26th 2008 10:56PM
Exactly, BMW and Mercedes have been doing this for a while now.
Just give it a few years for the Japanese and American companies to take the concept.
PeterF @ Mar 26th 2008 11:24PM
That's really cool! Too bad most people don't know about it (I didn't) and wouldn't think to see how bright the lights are to see if the person is slamming their breaks or not.
ronl12 @ Mar 26th 2008 11:40PM
Something like this was tried by the San Francisco Municipal Transit system in the 1980's. If I remember correctly, drivers were so mesmerized by the lights that they rear-ended the busses. The system was changed to a steady light like the 3rd brake light on all cars today.
Jesse S @ Mar 27th 2008 12:08AM
...Mesmerized?
Funke, Tobias Dr. @ Mar 27th 2008 1:13AM
Wow, I figured I'd have to scroll halfway through 66 comments to see if somebody remembered BMW's system.
You get my award and thanks for the best first post of the week.
nDee @ Mar 27th 2008 1:22AM
Now even Volvo has it as standard,
I wonder why dont other Fords have them even as options
(EBL, ABL ...
Brian f @ Mar 27th 2008 4:33AM
This is still on most of the buses I see in the San Diego area. If the driver presses the pedal hard enough the brake lights will blink. It looks the same as when they have the hazards on. I've also seen this on a Rav4 but I think this was some sort of mod added by the owner, I found it obnoxious. This may just lull people into following closer since they have a batter idea of what the asshat in front of them is doing. Could be bad.
GadgetUK @ Mar 27th 2008 6:00AM
Trevor Bayliss demo'd this in the UK many years ago - I remember because I'd thought of it beforehand and thought I'd be a millionaire so I was gutted when I saw it on TV. In hindsight - I was never likely to make any money out of something so blindingly obvious.
One thing though - the weight on the brake pedal isn't the variable I'd choose to light the LED's, the decelleration would vary depending on the manufacturer, car age, tyre condition etc. I'd have it linked to an accelerometer instead to give a real indication of how quickly the car is actually slowing down.
Marc @ Mar 27th 2008 6:00AM
for it to be succesful it needs to become a recognised standard. otherwise its just another amber light randomly placed on the back of a car
AssassinJN @ Mar 27th 2008 7:55AM
This is old news, I even thought I invented this idea ~10 years ago now. Simple LED strip that would illuminate more LEDs the hard the brake pedal was pushed. Started looking into getting patents and what not to find that it was already accepted patents since before 1985.
Mickel @ Mar 27th 2008 10:15AM
Yes, I was going to say the same thing. Recently saw this when checking out the BMW web-site.
I can also remember years back someone come out with a module that would make your (secondary) brakelights or rear-foglights blink during heavy breaking. Especially useful during fog. But the European laws wouldn't allow it.
On another note, I see this being used on schoolbuses. Orange brake lights when they use their air-brake, red on full brakes.
John Russell @ Mar 27th 2008 6:42PM
The question is not 'who came up with it first?', but 'which one can play Doom?'