European researchers have created a driver-assistance system which gives cars the 'intelligence' they need to respond to their surroundings and differentiate between fog and darkness. The envelope aims to develop an inexpensive optical sensor system for the wind-shields of small and medium-sized cars which, according the researchers, will help reduce the number of accidents on the roads.

European researchers have developed a new driver-assistance system with the capacity to differentiate between fog and darkness. This latest system gives cars the 'intelligence' they need to respond to their surroundings. The ADOSE ('Reliable application specific detection of road users with vehicle on-board sensors') consortium is funded under the 'Information and communication technologies' (ICT) Theme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) to the tune of €6.1 million.

This multifunctional system consists of an entire camera, two sensors equipped with Fresnel lenses to detect light signals, and an infrared LED (light-emitting diode). Because fog and darkness can exhibit optically identical spectra, it is difficult to distinguish between these two light phenomena. That's why the infrared LED emits light waves that are scattered back in fog, but not in conditions of darkness. This process effectively makes the assembly much easier to perform, according the researchers.