Audi's future lighting technology: LED light group / matrix lighting

Audi is far ahead of its competitors in LED headlamp technology. This technology was first used in the Audi R8 supercar in 2008.

The color temperature of LED lights is 5,500 Kelvin, which is similar to daylight, so it is not easy to cause visual fatigue. LEDs require no maintenance and last longer than vehicles. Its low energy consumption is also one of the most efficient scoring points for LEDs. For example, LED low beam energy consumption is only about 40 watts / unit, even lower than the already very efficient xenon headlights.

LED headlamp technology continues to innovate and now has a completely new design. Taking the Audi A8 as an example, its low beam consists of 10 separate lens modules that span the entire headlight assembly and form a unique arc under the chrome profile known as the "flying wing". Just below is another arc of 22 white LEDs and 22 yellow LEDs, daytime running lights and turn signals. Their homogeneous thick-wall technology allows them to exhibit a more uniform, more consistent light band.

The high beam consisting of two powerful four-chip LEDs and a free-form reflection system is located above the "flying wing". Among them, additional high-power LEDs provide illumination for highway lights and turn signals, and separate auxiliary functions are responsible for switching between high beam and low beam.

Since the LED does not produce a particularly high temperature, the maximum temperature of the red LED can reach about 120 degrees Celsius, and the white LED is 150 degrees Celsius, which is much lower than the high temperature of 400 degrees Celsius produced by the halogen headlights. Therefore, the Audi designer has designed the headlight glass cover in a targeted manner to ensure that the LED heat can be effectively transmitted to the headlight glass cover to ensure that there is no snow or fog in winter.

Matrix lighting

Matrix lighting is the name of Audi's future headlight technology. The principle is to divide the LED into many different light sources. The stand-alone LEDs used in conjunction with the lens or mirror provide superior illumination in all situations, without the need for a rotating mechanism, simply turning on, off or dimming according to lighting requirements.

Matrix beam headlights capture the information you need through a camera, navigation system or additional sensors. If the camera detects other vehicles or lights in densely populated areas ahead, this innovative technology automatically adjusts and the high beam fades out. The technology also recognizes the terrain of the road and changes the lighting depending on the weather, such as rain or fog.