Illuminating Safety: Essential Lights for Secure Environments
Mark Patrick, technical marketing manager for Mouser Electronics, discusses how modern automotive lighting technology can make our roads safer.
Studies reveal that poor lighting conditions significantly increase the risk of road accidents. In EU countries, over 10,000 accidents happen annually at night, which is double the number of daytime accidents considering the number of road users.
Driving in darkness or low-light conditions limits reaction time and hampers drivers’ ability to judge distances accurately, complicating decision-making and maneuvering.
To combat this, the automotive industry aims to enhance vehicle lighting capabilities. A key strategy is replacing traditional halogen and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps with advanced solid-state lighting solutions.
Over the past decade, LED technology has improved significantly, becoming more affordable and performative. Car manufacturers now plan to integrate LEDs throughout vehicle designs, not just for interior lights and side lights but also for front lights and brake lights.
According to TrendForce, a noted analyst firm, the demand for LEDs in the automotive sector is set to grow by nearly 12.5% from the end of 2017 to the end of 2018.
LEDs boast numerous advantages for automotive lighting. They are reliable, energy-efficient, and have long lifespans with stable performance over time. This energy efficiency translates to better fuel economy since they convert more energy into light and less into heat, reducing the need for thermal management and saving on costs and space.
LEDs function well in extreme temperatures and can switch on and off rapidly. Importantly, they offer greater functionality than traditional lighting. For instance, pixel-light technology can block parts of the front light to prevent glare for oncoming drivers, pedestrians, and wildlife, reducing accident risk.
Additionally, LEDs can adapt their beam shape to suit different driving conditions without requiring motors or mechanical parts. This adaptive front lighting technology adjusts the beam’s angle based on the road’s contours, helping drivers see better when going uphill, downhill, or around bends. The beam’s range can also extend with increased vehicle speed, providing more time for drivers to spot obstacles.
