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With 1 Million Micro-Mirrors, These Trick Headlights Don’t Just Illuminate—They Communicate

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DIGITAL LIGHT: Mit der neuen HD-Scheinwerfergeneration von Mercedes-Benz lassen sich hochauflösende Projektionen auf die Straße projizieren. So kann das Fahrzeug andere Verkehrsteilnehmer warnen und mit ihnen kommunizieren.Erkennt das System Fußgänger am Straßenrand, kann das Auto beispielsweise einen Zebrastreifen als Signal zur sicheren Überquerung auf die Straße beamen. ; DIGITAL LIGHT: The new generation of HD headlamps from Mercedes-Benz can project high-resolution images onto the road surface. Consequently, the vehicle can warn other road users and communicate with them. For instance, if the vehicle identifies pedestrians at the side of the road, the vehicle can project a zebra crossing onto the road surface as a signal to safely cross the road. ;

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The technology was touted by BMW back in November 2002 as the “light from the future” and the “third step after bixenon and adaptive light.” And while it would be an auxiliary device at the outset, it would—at some point—become “the only front lighting device.” BMW called it pixel light, a lighting source that uses hundreds of thousands of micro-mirrors, and said the technology would be ready in five years.

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Die neue „DIGITAL LIGHT“ Scheinwerfergeneration von Mercedes-Benz steht für höchste Präzision, optimale Sicht des Fahrers ohne Blendwirkung sowie für Performance, Fahrerassistenz und Kommunikation. ; The new „DIGITAL LIGHT“ generation of headlamps from Mercedes-Benz represents highest precision, optimal view for the driver without dazzling effect as well as performance, driver assistance and communication. ;

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But 2007 came and went, and we’ve heard nothing more about the technology until now: This time, it’s from Mercedes-Benz, and it appears to be a lot closer to production. Partner Texas Instruments has the capability to make those micro-mirror modules, which now contain 1 million units, controlled by ultrafast software developed by Daimler—which calls it Digital Light.

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The ultra-tiny micro-mirrors reflect light sent from an LED; it’s so accurate and precise that it could project a movie onto a wall. Its purpose on a car is somewhat different: This technology is not about entertainment but about guiding and warning the driver and communicating with others on the road.

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DIGITAL LIGHT: Mit der neuen HD-Scheinwerfergeneration von Mercedes-Benz lassen sich im Zusammenspiel mit dem Navigationssystem auch Richtungspfeile zur Routenführung auf die Straße projizieren. ; DIGITAL LIGHT: The new HD headlamp generation from Mercedes-Benz, working in combination with the navigation system, can also project direction arrows onto the road surface, to aid navigation. ;

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The digital light unit can provide the illumination of full high-beams while preventing glare from hitting oncoming traffic or the faces of pedestrians. The system also is capable of projecting signals and arrows onto the road ahead, providing traffic information and directions, or pointing at perceived dangers and obstacles. And it can create lines of light on the pavement—especially helpful in construction zones, where actual lane markings may be missing. The communication can go as far as projecting a crosswalk onto the road to signal to pedestrians that it’s safe to cross.

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On our demonstration ride in an S-class, the system—mounted adjacent to regular LED headlights—performed admirably, with ultraclear cutoff lines. Mercedes is not the only automaker Texas Instruments is talking to, but Mercedes may be the first to market: “We wouldn’t be showing this if we didn’t think of it as a viable and affordable option in a few years,” said a Daimler engineer. The advanced lights appear to provide real benefits to drivers. The biggest hurdle, in the United States at least, might be regulatory approval—just ask Audi, which finally got the okay for its laser headlights.

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