Hyundai Mobis, a major automotive technology business, has created a game-changing headlight technology called ‘HD Lighting,’ which has the potential to drastically reduce night-time traffic accidents. The new system displays critical driving information, such as road signs and symbols, right on the road surface in real time, increasing driver visibility and awareness. This technique promises to improve road safety by making critical information visible in low-light circumstances.
The HD Lighting System makes use of micro LEDs as light sources, as well as a digital micromirror device (DMD) made up of microscopic mirrors that operate as reflectors. The system can give relevant and timely information to drivers by merging front sensors (cameras) and GPS navigation data. It can, for example, project road construction signs and symbols onto the road surface.
With approximately 25,000 micro LEDs, each measuring just 0.04 mm in width, the HD Lighting System surpasses the number of LEDs typically found in mass-produced LED headlamps (80-120 LEDs) by 250 times. This high density of micro LEDs allows for precise and sensitive control of light, ensuring clear and accurate information projection regardless of road conditions.
The technology includes a highly accurate controller that is powered by the digital micromirror device (DMD), which uses small mirrors to reflect light. These mirrors collaborate with the tightly packed micro LEDs to project desired shapes and symbols onto the road surface. The technology may deliver clear and precise information to drivers by independently adjusting the LEDs, boosting their situational awareness.
The HD Lighting System from Hyundai not only benefits drivers, but it also actively contributes to pedestrian safety. When the car comes to a stop, the system’s image sensor can detect people in remote places and show a virtual crosswalk on the road surface. This function, known as “communication lighting,” allows the vehicle to communicate with pedestrians by using emergency lights, horn signals, and flashing lights. By providing drivers with real-time information and enhancing communication with pedestrians, this innovative technology has the potential to revolutionise night-time driving experiences, making roads safer than before.