The SmartProtect project is dedicated to this task through a holistic, integrative approach that includes software, a combination of imaging and ranging sensors and component design with interactive modular architecture. Essential features of the new automotive perception system are merged sensor data with predictive function and automated, problem-specific control of headlights and infrared lighting, supported by reactive camera and LIDAR systems, which are incorporated in the same component housing and cover different detection angles. The desired multimodal systems are evaluated in real drives and in representative, reproducible test scenarios.