During the process of automotive intelligence, car lights are quietly undergoing “evolution”. With the rapid development of automotive connectivity, new energy, and autonomous driving, the field of automotive lighting is also experiencing a surge of innovation. The intelligent process is accelerating. As a key component that concerns vision and safety, car lights are no longer limited to basic lighting and are moving towards the core of vehicle data output. They are about to complete the leap from “function” to “intelligence”. Technological innovation is the powerful driving force behind this. Matrix LED, DMD, OLED and other LED technologies are becoming increasingly mature, and pixel-level ADB, MLA and other intelligent car light technologies are constantly emerging. These cutting-edge technologies interweave with each other, helping automotive car lights accelerate their journey towards electrification and intelligence.
Intelligent Car Lights: Black Technology for a Major Upgrade in Travel Experience
Today’s car headlights are no longer just lighting devices. By integrating with cameras, navigation systems and radar technology, they can convey information through interactive images and changes in light and shadow, making interaction between people and vehicles more seamless and facilitating communication between vehicles and other road users. This significantly enhances driving safety in various scenarios. Moreover, the streamlined and narrow design of the lamps gives them a stronger sense of technology.
Here are 10 highly-discussed automotive lighting technologies for your reference:
- ADB: Intelligent beam adjustment to avoid dazzling other road users.
- DLP: Leveraging Projection Technology to Achieve Rich Lighting Effects.
- Integrated rear lights: Unique in design, enhancing visibility and recognition.
- Customizable Digital Lighting System: Owners can customize the lighting as needed.
- Image Interaction: Information is conveyed through images by means of lighting display.
- OLED Luminescence: Offers uniform and soft lighting effects.
- Surface LED surface light source technology: Offers more uniform and extensive illumination.
- Integration of vehicle lights and sensors: Perceive road conditions and automatically adjust the lights.
- Styling Trends: Such as streamlined and slim design.
- Laser Headlights: With long illumination distance and high brightness.
- ADB
When driving at night, high beam lights can illuminate the road ahead, but they may also dazzle other vehicles and pedestrians, posing potential safety risks. ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) self-adaptive high beam lights, as a cutting-edge intelligent lighting technology, has perfectly solved this problem.
ADB is an intelligent high-beam control system that can automatically adjust the type of high-beam according to road conditions. Its working principle is very ingenious: through special optical modules and electronic control devices, the originally complete high-beam light spot is split into multiple optical lighting zones combined to form a high-beam light spot. When there are vehicles, pedestrians or other targets on the road surface, the control system composed of sensors (cameras) and driving circuits will quickly respond, turning off or dimming some of the high-beam lighting zones to avoid dazzling the illuminated targets, while ensuring that the driver has a clear high-beam lighting field of vision, greatly enhancing the safety of night driving.
In recent years, with the increasingly mature LED packaging technology and the gradual reduction of costs, the popularity of pixel-level ADB technology has been on the rise. The ADB lens modules with 84 pixels or more, which were once only equipped in high-end vehicles, are now gradually being adopted in mid-to-low-end models, allowing more consumers to enjoy the convenience and safety brought by this advanced technology.
Hella showcases ADB and DLP
Hella ADB showcase
2: DLP
Imagine that car headlights not only illuminate the road ahead but also can “tell stories” like projectors. This is not a scene from a science fiction movie, but a magical experience brought by the DLP (Digital Light Processing) digital light processing technology.
DLP is essentially a more advanced ADB headlamp. It has more detailed lighting zones. When driving at night, DLP can precisely adjust the beam to avoid causing glare interference to other road users, providing drivers with clear and safe lighting vision.
However, the remarkable feature of DLP goes beyond this. It also endows car headlights with the “projection” capability. This means that DLP car headlights not only provide illumination but also can achieve information interaction functions. For instance, when the road conditions ahead are complex, it can project warning signs on the road surface to alert the driver in advance; when the vehicle turns, by projecting guiding lines, it enables the driver to more clearly grasp the driving direction. DLP technology transforms car headlights from mere lighting tools into intelligent interaction assistants, adding more safety and convenience to travel. In the field of automotive lighting, DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology is initiating an unprecedented revolution. Its core advantage lies in having extremely high resolution, which enables precise lighting control to be achieved.
DLP technology is revolutionizing the automotive lighting industry. It is expected to bring about a significant change in the way we perceive and utilize automotive lighting. It is not only about providing illumination but also about enhancing safety and convenience. DLP technology is not only improving the efficiency of lighting but also enhancing the intelligence of automotive lighting. It is a game-changer in the automotive lighting industry. It is expected to bring about a significant change in the way we perceive and utilize automotive lighting. It is not only about providing illumination but also about enhancing safety and convenience. DLP technology is revolutionizing the automotive lighting industry. It is expected to bring about a significant change in the way
When the vehicle is in motion, DLP technology can precisely and accurately project the lights to the desired positions. As a result, most high beams can remain on continuously without causing any dazzling disturbance to the oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. As we all know, the brighter the lights are, the clearer the driver’s vision becomes. The ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) system can also obtain more comprehensive road information. When facing unexpected situations, drivers and the ADAS system will have more ample reaction time.
The high resolution of DLP technology also brings another remarkable advantage, namely the realization of smooth and gradual lighting changes. The problem of rapid and sudden movement of lights that is common in low-resolution ADB options is readily solved in the face of DLP technology. This not only enhances the driving experience but also reduces visual discomfort and potential risks caused by sudden lighting changes.
Furthermore, the fully programmable feature of DLP technology for headlamps has completely reshaped the night vision experience for both cars and drivers. In actual driving, highly reflective road signs often cause drivers to experience momentary blindness and can also make camera sensors enter an oversaturated state, affecting driving safety. However, with its high resolution, DLP technology can flexibly dim or even completely darken some or all pixels, effectively avoiding glare interference for drivers or cameras. At the same time, it can clearly highlight pedestrians, cyclists, and obstacles, leaving sufficient reaction time for drivers and ADAS systems, significantly enhancing the safety of night driving.
3: Customized Digital Lighting System
Intelligent Automobile Era, PML Programmable Intelligent Headlights and ISD Intelligent Interactive Lights are pioneers of change.
Starting from the daily driving scenarios, they can sense the road environment, make autonomous decisions and achieve full-scene adaptive lighting. For instance, they can automatically adjust the light when overtaking, and illuminate the curve when turning. Meanwhile, they can also interact with people and vehicles outside through lights to indicate the driving intention.
These two light clusters will also cooperate with the L3-level autonomous driving assistance system to enhance driving safety and traffic efficiency, opening a new chapter in future travel. Automotive lighting has achieved a major breakthrough! The world’s first programmable intelligent headlights PML, featuring 2.6 million identical nano-mirrors to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, is equipped with an infrared night vision camera and a liquid cooling system.
The nano-mirrors enable more precise lighting control, the infrared night vision camera can capture road conditions in the dark, and the liquid cooling system ensures stable operation of the headlights. It not only offers superior lighting effects compared to traditional ones but also allows for unique lighting interactions with the outside world, providing an immersive driving experience! Are car headlights just for lighting? The PML programmable intelligent headlights and ISD intelligent interactive lights will show you what a revolution means!
PML is called the “lightning magician”, capable of projecting text, images, and even movies. You can make reservations in advance, have a festival-style lighting show during festivals, or play movie clips, creating an extremely atmospheric atmosphere.
ISD is also impressive. With built-in emojis, it’s very interesting. It also supports DIY through a mobile app, allowing you to draw your own personalized lighting expressions by hand, making it highly personalized and having an extremely high recognition rate!
4: The tail lights.
Have you ever noticed your own tail lights when driving？ Don’t underestimate them. In the car structure, tail lights are responsible for lighting and signal indication, allowing others to clearly see your driving status, which is an important guarantee for driving safety. They include rear width lights, brake lights, fog lights, turn signals, and other components, each of which is silently safeguarding travel safety.
In the past, tail lights only needed to work properly. But nowadays, with the rapid development of the automotive industry and technology, car manufacturers have increasingly focused on design and recognition. The design of tail lights has become a key to demonstrating the strength of a car.
LED technology has matured and its cost has decreased. Coupled with the improvement of welding techniques, the trend of using integrated rear lights has emerged. Compared with ordinary rear lights, integrated rear lights have a more extended visual effect. When illuminated at night, they have extremely high recognizability and can easily achieve cool effects such as flowing lights, breathing lights, music rhythm lights, and light shows. Therefore, they are deeply loved by consumers. It is not only a safety feature but also an enhancement for the appearance and personality of the car, demonstrating the innovation and progress of the automotive industry.
Hella showcases integrated rear lights
POLESTAR2 rear lights of Polestar 2
5: Image interaction
– New favorite of automotive lighting! ISC makes your car “speak”!
The integrated rear lights of POLESTAR2 are truly remarkable. They not only enhance the safety of the car but also add to the appearance and personality of the vehicle. They showcase the innovation and progress of the automotive industry. Hella showcases integrated rear lights
POLESTAR2 rear lights of Polestar 2 5: Image interaction – New favorite of automotive lighting! ISC makes your car “speak”!
Are you still watching the same old kind of traffic lights and light shows? Young people’s cars have long been playing with new tricks! The ISC Signal Light Intelligent Interaction System has emerged, endowing automotive lamps with unprecedented humanization and intelligence, and can be called the “innovator” in the field of automotive lighting.
With the assistance of this system, car headlights are no longer silent. They can “speak out”. Owners can fully exert their creativity and DIY the text on the car lights. For instance, when encountering a driver using high beams, they can light up “Please turn off the high beams”; when wanting to change lanes, they can display “Please allow me to change lanes, thank you”. Such polite and interesting prompts can easily resolve minor traffic awkwardnesses and make road communication more harmonious.
Apart from being able to “speak”, the ISC intelligent interactive signal lights can also transform into various unique position lights and turn signals. When lit up, the distinctive lighting effects not only showcase the unique personality of the owner, but also add an “insurance” for driving safety in an intangible way, allowing other road users to more clearly capture the vehicle’s dynamics. No wonder it has become a favorite among young people and has quickly become popular in the automotive industry!
6: OLED
lighting: A new highlight in automotive aesthetics
In the field of automotive lighting, OLED technology is emerging. OLED is applied to car lamps, which are thin, transparent and can be bent. This makes the design of car lamps more flexible and gives them a more “light and agile” appearance. It not only enriches the appearance of cars but also enhances brand recognition.
In the past two years, in the foreign luxury car market, the rear lights of many models such as Audi TTRS and BMW M4 GTS have adopted OLED light sources. Since its inception, OLED light sources have been favored by luxury cars, representing advanced technology and high-end quality. In the future, OLED car lights are expected to bring more dazzling experiences and better safety guarantees.
The rear lights of H9 Hongqi adopt four OLED screen bodies arranged in an upward-downward line. Each screen body is divided into five independent light-emitting areas. Through the independent control of the automotive assembly chip, various lighting effects such as water flow, breathing, rhythm, and gradient can be achieved, enriching the vehicle design language.
7: Surface LED planar light source technology
is a new force in automotive rear lights: Surface LED planar light source technology rises.
During the development process of automotive taillight technology, OLED once attracted much attention. However, due to its high cost, light attenuation problem and limited service life, its further popularization was restricted. Just at this time, Surface LED panel light source technology, as a “promising newcomer”, emerged in the field of taillights.
The Surface LED surface light source technology boasts remarkable advantages. In terms of light uniformity, it is comparable to OLED technology, yet it can achieve higher surface brightness and provide a clearer and more eye-catching visual effect. Meanwhile, its rear side can integrate components such as radars and sensors, easily creating 3D Light. Moreover, it can also adopt ordinary mature light sources to realize conventional functions such as position, braking, and steering. In terms of cost and lifespan, it has obvious advantages over OLED, with lower costs and longer lifespans. Additionally, its ultra-thin design, with a thickness of only 3 – 4mm, provides more possibilities for tail light design and can adapt to various styling requirements. It can be foreseen that the Surface LED surface light source technology will bring about a new revolution in automotive tail lights.
8: Sensor Fusion
The New Trend of Car Light Integration under the Wave of Intelligent Automobiles
In the current era of rapid development of automotive autonomous driving, electrification and connectivity, the field of automotive sensors has witnessed a bustling “major transformation”. From the initial ultrasonic radar to the advanced millimeter-wave radar and laser radar nowadays; from the simple rear-view cameras in the past to the high-resolution cameras that assist in autonomous driving, various sensors keep emerging and the demand is increasing day by day.
Headlights, as important electronic and safety components of automobiles, are following this development trend and presenting new possibilities – integrating sensors, radars, cameras, etc. into the headlight system has become a new choice that attracts much attention in the industry. This innovative measure not only has the potential to further optimize the spatial layout of automobiles but also may make the perception system of automobiles more intelligent and efficient, bringing more imagination space to future travel. DaimlerChrysler showcased headlights with AFS function
Automobile lamps are dust-proof, waterproof, and have good light transmission. They have inherent advantages in integrating sensors, radars, etc., and as electronic components, they can be plugged in and used immediately. Magneti Marelli showcased front and rear lamps integrated with millimeter-wave radars
When installed on the AFS function near and far light brackets, their detection range will change along with the body posture angle, thus maintaining their performance even during loading or acceleration/braking. This is a huge advantage of integrating remote sensors.
9: Styling Trends in the New Vehicle Manufacturing Era
the transformation and challenges of headlight styling
The above translations are accurate and natural, following English expression habits. Please note that the original text contains some Chinese characters that have been omitted for the sake of translation.
With new entrants in the automotive industry, competition among car manufacturers has become increasingly fierce. Each automaker is doing its utmost to create unique selling points in terms of design. They need to strike a balance between presenting a strong sense of technology and achieving high recognition.
Driven by this trend, the changes in the design of car lamps have been particularly remarkable. Whether it is the front lamps or the rear lamps, they are evolving towards a flat and streamlined direction. The design team members are extremely creative and their thinking is not constrained by tradition. They often take unconventional paths and design various lamp shapes that exceed imagination.
However, these bold and innovative designs have also brought brand-new challenges to the design and manufacturing of car lamps. How to achieve a unique appearance while ensuring the functionality and safety of the lamps has become a difficult problem facing the industry. But precisely because of these challenges, the technology of car lamps is constantly advancing. The future shapes of car lamps may bring us even more surprises!
Regarding the near and far light lens modules, the size is getting narrower and narrower. From the initial 70mm to the current smallest 12-15mm, from the perspective of optical principles, the narrower the lens, the lower the light efficiency. Moreover, from the customer’s requirements, the optical performance, the CNAAP score need to be even higher, and at the same time, functions such as ADB and DLP need to be integrated. This requires the joint improvement of optical design solutions, LED packaging technology, and lamp manufacturing processes to meet this demand.
10: Laser Headlights for Cars: Potential and Challenges Coexist
Laser is applied in car lighting. It has high brightness, strong penetration and long lifespan. It is used as an auxiliary high beam, presenting a strong sense of technology.
However, its promotion in China has been hindered. Regulations have strict requirements for automotive lighting, and laser light sources must meet the standards; the actual road conditions are not all suitable, and the usage scenarios are limited; moreover, the cost is high, and it is difficult to be widely adopted in the price-sensitive automotive market. Although there is great potential, for widespread application, the industry still needs to make breakthroughs. The conditions for activating the laser lights of the Audi A8L: Firstly, it must be in an absolutely dark environment, and even with street lighting, it is not allowed; secondly, the speed must be above 70 km/h; thirdly, there must be no other vehicles within the illuminated area of the car.
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