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It automatically adjusts headlight from high to low beam when faced with an oncoming vehicle so that you won’t be blinded
Being blinded by the powerful headlights of an oncoming vehicle is a common fear among motorists.
But, M K Narang from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh has developed a mechanism that automatically adjusts the headlights to avoid this problem.
Narang was last week felicitated in Bangalore by the Indian Semiconductor Association (ISA), a trade body representing the Indian Electronic System Design and Manufacturing industry, for his innovation.
Narang’s innovation will reduce anxiety levels among motorists and accident rates. Bangalore is one of the cities where motorists drive in high-beam mode. Also, on an average, 18,000 cases are booked every year against motorists for taking to the roads with defective headlights. Narang, 41, who runs an electronics shop, says, “I used to travel a lot by road. Driving at night was scary. Even if my vehicle’s light is dim, the driver of the oncoming vehicle would not dim its headlights. It’s not only disgusting, but also dangerous. People do not know to use the dipper.”
He has not had formal training, but has been experimenting with electronic gadgets from his childhood. The knowledge gained over the years helped him when he began working on the headlight problem in 2002. In 2006, he submitted his Automatic Vehicle Headlight Dipper System to the National Innovation Foundation India (NIFI). In 2009 , NIFI honoured him in Delhi for this and 10 other innovations.
His innovation can be installed in two and four wheelers. Once the device is fitted, the vehicles lights automatically goes from high to low beam when it crosses another vehicle.
How the dipper works
“It works by detecting light and its intensity. I had already invented a light that switches on automatically in the dark. The headlight device works on the same principle. It can be fitted near the headlights. When it senses the light from an oncoming vehicle, the resistance of the circuit decreases and it switches to low beam. As soon as the oncoming light passes, it switches back to high beam,” Narang said. “I have been using it in my vehicle for six years. It will cost around Rs 150 for four-wheelers and not more than Rs 100 for two-wheelers.”
Praveen Sood, the additional commissioner of traffic, has always expressed a wish for such a technology. “Motorists do not dim their lights in the city due to lack of traffic etiquette. Many are booked for this offence, but people must be sensitised and persuaded to become a lot more responsible. There have been many accidents due to glaring headlights. Within city limits, glaring, showy and jazzy lights are prohibited. But, some still use them and put other motorists in danger. The technology of automatic dim and dip must be encouraged. I wish car manufacturers would adopt this technology.”
Narang, who has filed for a patent, says, “I want big firms to take notice of this innovation. I am sure it will reduce the number of accidents, not only on the highways but even in cities. |
