The German luxury car manufacturer has a lot of experience in the research of car lights. The light factory Audi has just demonstrated the DML digital matrix headlight technology that will be applied to e-tron, and BMW continues to introduce the innovative LaserLight laser headlight technology to the market.
LaserLight laser headlight technology first came out at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The first model used was the i8 sports car that BMW is proud of. Abdel Hanafi (Abdel Hanafi) is the leader behind the innovative design of BMW LaserLight laser headlights. It was successfully developed with the help of Helmut Erdl and won the famous 2014 Annual Leibinger Innovation Award.
The BMW LaserLight laser headlight technology is designed with safety in mind, which can help see farther roads at night without obstructing oncoming traffic, and without the use of any buttons or switches. BMW regards it as the most powerful lamp, the brightness of which is ten times that of traditional LED headlights, and it consumes less energy.
The first-generation LaserLight laser headlights on the BMW i8
Although it is called laser headlights, the LaserLight technology does not emit lasers to the opposing vehicle as imagined. Instead, the headlights pass three monochromatic blue laser beams through a series of reflectors on the main housing. Finally, it passes through a filter full of yellow phosphorous. At this time, the blue laser reacts with the yellow phosphorous to produce a very bright conical white beam that points directly to the road. The brightness of the light produced in this way is ten times higher than that of traditional LED headlights. In addition, the LaserLight laser technology headlight assembly is small in size, which can keep the overall shell compact, and finally realize the fashionable design we can see.
Another key factor of BMW's innovative LaserLight laser headlight system is efficiency. Compared with the traditional system, it needs 30% less energy. BMW admits that because LaserLight technology is brighter than traditional headlights, urban traffic may distract drivers, so it will only be activated at vehicle speeds above 60 km/h. Increase the visibility of the road through brightness enhancement, which can greatly improve safety.
The integrated infrared camera system used in conjunction with the headlights can detect oncoming vehicles and send a signal to the control unit, which will automatically dim the brightness of the headlights without the driver's manual input. If the infrared camera system detects an obstacle on the road, such as a parked vehicle, pedestrian or animal, the headlights will focus the beam directly on the obstacle at a distance of up to 300 feet (92 meters).
BMW LaserLight laser headlights can detect road obstacles, and can achieve follow-up steering function
Another particularly useful function of the BMW LaserLight laser headlight system is the communication with the car's GPS navigation system, which can predict the road turn in advance to realize the follow-up steering function.
LaserLight laser headlights on the latest BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
The LaserLight laser headlights on the BMW K 1600 GTL concept motorcycle
BMW LaserLight laser headlight technology has been put into application in BMW X5, 4 series, 7 series and 8 series and other new cars, becoming a model of BMW innovation and safety. In the future, it will expand the application range and even put it into motorcycles. For more news about BMW LaserLight technology, stay tuned for follow-up reports.