Drive-in theaters may feel like a relic of the past, but Chinese automakers are giving the idea a very futuristic comeback.
Instead of parking in front of a giant outdoor screen, some new vehicles can now project movies directly from their headlights.
Yes, really. Your car’s headlights could soon double as a portable movie projector.
And it’s another sign that China’s automakers are pushing in-car tech far beyond what most Western brands are currently offering.
Huawei Technologies And BAIC Motor Built A Car That Can Project Movies
The feature is currently available in the Stelato S9, a sedan developed by Huawei and BAIC.
Its 2-megapixel headlights don’t just illuminate the road. They can also project movies onto walls or outdoor screens measuring roughly 100 inches.
That essentially turns the car into a mobile drive-in theater.
Pull up at a campsite, parking lot, or quiet scenic location, and your movie night setup is already built into the vehicle.
The Headlights Can Do More Than Play Movies
The projection system isn’t purely designed for entertainment.
The headlights can also project navigation arrows directly onto the road.
They’re also capable of displaying virtual crosswalk markings and other visual safety prompts.
That’s where this technology starts moving beyond being a gimmick.
Seres Group Says Customers Love Features Like This
John Zhang, president of Seres Group, said projection technology has become one of the standout features in vehicles built with Huawei.
Seres currently works with Huawei on the Aito M Series.
According to Zhang, advanced tech features are becoming major selling points in China’s brutally competitive EV market.
Automakers are constantly looking for new ways to stand out.
Even BMW And Mercedes-Benz Are Working On Similar Tech
Chinese brands may be moving fastest, but they’re not alone.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz are also developing advanced pixel-style headlight systems.
For now, their focus appears to be improving road visibility and safety.
Chinese brands, meanwhile, are already asking far stranger questions, like whether your headlights should also stream Marvel movies.
The Big Problem Nobody Has Answered Yet
There’s one obvious issue: What stops someone from projecting videos while driving?
Regulators haven’t fully addressed how this technology could distract other motorists if misused on public roads.
The idea sounds fun at a campsite. Much less so when someone starts watching superhero movies in highway traffic.