In the world of auto manufacture, creating mass-produced bodyshells which are almost geometrically identical is the name of the game.
The effort to achieve ever-tighter tolerances means that any remaining gaps between body panels at build lines now seem much more prominent than ever before.
Today’s invention is a way for car makers to decrease the visibility of such gaps and give their products a more unified, streamlined appearance (especially on pale-coloured body shells).
Each vehicle would be equipped with an adhesive, flexible striplight located eg around the door sill interior and at other seams.
This device would emit light matched to the colour of the paintwork so that, when eg the bonnet or door were closed, it would come on and lessen the contrast between the car colour and the dark groove where the panels meet.
And now see this from Audi http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671672/audi-envisions-a-future-of-laser-brakes-and-oled-trim?partner=newsletter#1