Škoda’s unique grille tech could give pedestrians the green light to cross

A unique technology within the Enyaq iV’s grille is in development that uses LEDs to signal to pedestrians when it’s safe to cross the road, as part of a wider trial scheme to make roads safer for children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Replacing the Enyaq iV’s Crystal Face grille, the LEDs can be individually programmed to show a wide variety of animations.

When the car approaches the pedestrian crossing, it can warn those waiting to cross that they have been spotted. It then stops and displays green arrows, for example, to tell them it’s safe to cross.

In more extreme examples, a car that is unable to stop when approaching the crossing can send a clear signal to pedestrians not to cross.

Symbols currently being tested include green arrows and a green person, a warning triangle, and a red triangle with a cross.

Reducing accidents

The technology aims to reduce the number of overall pedestrian road injuries, with more than 16,000 occurring in 2021 alone.

Changes to the Highway Code in 2022 advises that pedestrians have priority at zebra crossings as part of a wider change implementing a new hierarchy of road users. Drivers should now also give way to pedestrians crossing, or waiting to cross a road they are driving into or out of.