There are potential regulatory issues as auto lighting is governed by varying standards.
BMW is working on what it says is the next step in automotive lighting following the adoption of light emitting diode (LED) headlights on expensive cars – laser lights. In what appears to be the first automotive application – some consumer products already use laser diodes – the German luxury car maker has equipped its BMW i8 concept car with laser lights.
While LED lighting creates about 100 lumens per watt, laser lights generate about 170 lumens. Aside from being more efficient, the diodes used in laser lights also are much smaller, presenting the option of drastically reducing the size and shape of conventional headlights that are crucial to automotive front end design. This trait however was not explored fully in the i8 concept.
BMW claims the intensity of laser lights poses no risks to humans, animals or wildlife when used in car lighting. Key to this statement is the fact that in the i8 concept car, the light is not emitted directly, but is first converted into a form that BMW claims is suitable for use in road traffic. The resulting light is bright and white. It is also said to be eye pleasing. Nonetheless there are also potential regulatory issues as automotive lighting is governed by varying, sometimes conflicting standards in major markets.
With a length of just ten microns (µm), laser diodes are one hundred times smaller than the square-shaped cells used in conventional LED lighting, which have a side length of one millimeter. BMW, perhaps disingenuously, said it has no plans to radically reduce the size of the headlights. The company is already well known for its distinctive lack of front overhang – the space between the leading edge of the front wheelwell and the front bumper. Instead potential downsizing advantages could be used to reduce the depth of the headlight unit, which of course also increases flexibility for headlight positioning and styling.
