The Illuminating Path Forward
Joachim Reill, a senior director for applications engineering at Osram Opto Semiconductors, is exploring how lighting technology can revolutionize the future of cars. Every year, automakers introduce vehicles that showcase the latest and greatest in technology, using cutting-edge materials and features to enhance safety and comfort for both drivers and passengers. Along with improving engine efficiency and reducing emissions, future cars aim to enhance the overall driving experience.
Light, both visible and invisible, is playing a key role in boosting the efficiency of driver assistance systems, enabling autonomous driving, enhancing information transmission, and even refining interior lighting to make driving more enjoyable and safer.
Progress
Vehicle technology is advancing rapidly in many areas. While improving engine efficiency and cutting emissions remain important goals, real excitement lies in how the driving experience is evolving for both drivers and passengers. The concept of fully autonomous vehicles, once a sci-fi fantasy, is becoming a reality. Much of this progress is thanks to optoelectronic technologies, particularly innovations in lidar (light detection and ranging) and infra-red emitting diodes (IREDs).
Lidar systems use pulsed laser beams to scan the surrounding environment, creating high-resolution 3D images that help vehicles navigate safely. IREDs are also paving the way for new advancements, contributing to various systems like driver assistance, information transmission, and infotainment. With effective use of light technology, future cars could even function as part of public transportation networks.
Biometrics
Biometrics technology offers high security and user-friendliness, but its reliability hinges on advanced optoelectronics specifically designed for security. This technology identifies unique human features—such as facial characteristics, palm prints, and hand geometry—and matches them against stored data for authorized users. Proper lighting with IREDs at specific wavelengths is crucial for accurate identification.
Human-centric lighting in cars will sync with passengers’ biorhythms, integrating with fitness trackers, smartwatches, or mobile phones. Ambient lighting can create a pleasant atmosphere or provide alerts, making the car an extension of the user’s lifestyle, tailored to their preferences.
Significant strides in biometric technologies, driven by IREDs, are making vehicles safer and more accessible. Perfecting these sensors is vital for ensuring the safety of all passengers. Future vehicles will prioritize user safety and security, employing iris scans and facial recognition for secure access and passenger profiling to automatically adjust the car’s settings. Additionally, UV light technology can address cleanliness concerns by detecting bacteria and minimizing the spread of germs.
In summary, lighting technologies are not just enhancing safety and efficiency in modern cars but are also transforming the overall driving and passenger experience, making vehicles more intuitive, secure, and tailored to individual needs.
