The Consumer Electronics Show (CES ) 2015 in Las Vegas will
see BMW providing further evidence that it is a world leader in the development
of Laserlight. Having already supplied its first models with Laserlight to
customers, it is now presenting further laser functions for vehicles of the
future. According to a BMW press release,
Laserlight is now able to offer its impressively long beam range of up to 600
metres in combination with the BMW Selective Beam function (anti-dazzle
High-Beam Assistant). The company is unveiling ways in which Laserlight,
extensively integrated with assistance systems and vehicle sensors, can be used
to implement new intelligent lighting functions for enhanced safety and
comfort. For example, it can work with the navigation system to illuminate
corners well in advance, while a laser-based Dynamic Light Spot can provide
early warning of people or animals at night from a distance of up to 100
metres.
New lighting technology opens up design scope
The BMW M4 Concept Iconic Lights model, with exterior
paintwork in Cool White metallic, features a new interpretation of the typical
BMW twin round headlights. On the move, the laser technology can be identified
by the fine blue strips inside the lights. Meanwhile, the rear light clusters
of the BMW M4 Concept Iconic Lights model are based on OLEDs (organic
light-emitting diodes), which produce light from wafer-thin semiconducting
layers of organic material. For the first time, both the tail lights and rear
direction indicators feature OLED technology. The illuminated surfaces are
positioned to produce a three-dimensional effect. OLEDs also take up less room
on account of their thin size.
Anti-dazzle Laserlight and laser projection
BMW Laserlight sets new standards in terms of beam range and
brightness. Inside the laser headlights, the “coherent” monochromatic blue
laser light is converted into harmless white light. A special optical system
directs the rays from the high-performance diodes onto a phosphor plate inside
the light, which converts the beam into a very bright white light that is
similar to natural daylight and pleasant to the eye. Despite consuming 30
percent less energy, the parallel light beam is ten times more intense than
that produced by halogen, xenon or LED light sources. BMW Laserlight also has a
beam range of up to 600 metres, more than twice that of conventional
headlights, for increased safety in the dark. The camera-based BMW Selective
Beam system, which is controlled by dynamic actuators, prevents oncoming or
preceding vehicles being dazzled and allows the laser high beam to be left on
at all times.
Enhanced safety through
connectivity
Extensive integration of the innovative Laserlight with
other vehicle systems allows a variety of intelligent lighting functions to be
implemented. Integration with the navigation system, for example, allows the
proactive Adaptive Headlight control system to illuminate corners even before
the steering wheel is turned. Laserlight also adds a new dimension to the Night
Vision system’s Dynamic Light Spot function. In pitch-dark conditions, people
and animals can be detected from a distance of up to 100 metres, by infrared
camera, and “spotlighted” by the laser-based Dynamic Light Spot. This is a longer
range than that of any other system. Also, if the vehicle detects reduced clear
road width ahead, the laser headlights can be used to provide “narrow
clearance” lighting. A laser projection function indicates the exact width of
the vehicle in relation to the road to allow safe passage through the narrow
space. BMW M4 Concept Iconic Lights also showcases a further “visionary”
system: “High Power Laser” diodes. This system projects driver information
directly onto the road in front of the vehicle, allowing drivers to concentrate
optimally on the traffic even in pitch darkness.