Holographic Communication in Road Traffic: Projekt MaMeK
Instead of depending on conventional hand gestures or flashing lights, MaMeK projection systems for man-machine communication now also rely on holographic projections. This innovative technology is designed to enable autonomous vehicles to communicate with pedestrians and cyclists clearly and intuitively. By Ruben Vorwald
In the modern world of the automobile industry, the development of autonomous vehicles is in full swing. Yet alongside the technology for autonomous driving functions, communication between these vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists is of crucial importance to ensure road-traffic safety. A pioneering project called MaMeK - “Projection Systems for Human-Machine Communication” - has set out to revolutionise communication between autonomous vehicles and road users. This project is being developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) in Jena in cooperation with the Audi AG and other partners.
Communication between road users is decisive for safety and efficiency in road traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists often rely on non-verbal signals from vehicles to learn when they can safely cross the road. In conventional vehicle communication, hand gestures and flashing lights are used to inform road users of drivers’ intentions.
However, with the transition to autonomous vehicles which operate without human intervention, conventional communication becomes insufficient. Autonomous vehicles cannot simply give hand gestures or communicate per eye contact. New technologies are needed to enable safe and clear interaction between autonomous vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists.
And this is where the MaMeK project with holographic projections comes in. Instead of conveying information in conventional manner, autonomous vehicles project dynamic holographic images onto the road. These images are registered by road users enabling them to better understand what the autonomous vehicle is going to do.
MaMeK uses modern laser technology to generate bright projections on the road. Four laser diodes illuminate an image generator known as a spatial light modulator (SLM), which distributes the light in a way that forms the desired image on the road. Combining multiple projectors makes it possible to display pictograms on the road all the way round the vehicle to signal to road users that the vehicle has seen them, and that their safety is guaranteed.
The application of MaMeK-similar projection systems is not just limited to autonomous vehicles. This technology can have great benefits for trams, too. Trams play a vital role in public transport in many cities, and they also have to interact safely with other vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists.
Tram drivers could communicate their intended moves more distinctly by holographic projections. If a tram would like to stop at a stop station for example, it could signal via a projection on the road that it is stopping and that pedestrians can cross the road safely.
Holographic projections on the road would also inform road users that the tram is going to turn off or pass a crossing which would improve interaction between trams and pedestrians/cyclists and help make road traffic safer and more efficient. With innovative technology like holographic projections, autonomous vehicles and trams can communicate their next moves more clearly, and enhance road safety for all users.
What do you think of this project? Would you be happier if there were clearer signals from other road-traffic users? Please drop me a line. I would love to hear from you.