The Luster of Tomorrow's Headlights

Headlights technology is entertaining new intensities, shapes, safety and styling. It is aimed at making the future of headlights brighter and beneficial.

Earlier, Honda has unraveled its ASM concept of minivan. The latter is equipped with distinctive light-emitting diode LED headlights. The same can be used to boost conspicuity while driving. The automaker is also using such technology for ambient lighting of the ASM interior.

Other remarkable headlights include that of Jaguar's and Chevrolet's. Jaguar R-D6 concept car uses the usual twin-lamp shape headlights. The latest addition though is the use of LED. This time around, Chevrolet Corvette will also be using all-new high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps. Same type of headlights is incorporated in the façade of Lincoln Mark X concept. The latter features two headlamps that utilize arc capsule to ensure quick response. The HIDs used have the capability of doubling the amount of light generated by traditional headlamps.

According to Visteon, headlight maker of Chevrolet Corvette, the headlights can double the light output produced by the average halogen headlight. Corvette uses 42-watts power-saving lamps which are also capable of enhancing the car's system.

To illuminate the future of cars, HID is also used by great names of automakers. Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Infiniti and BMW headlights are just few of the trusted headlights in the automotive arena. Infiniti QX56 and Mercedes ML500 are examples of vehicles that integrate said type of headlights.

HIDs, otherwise known as xenon headlamps, have another edge for the car owners to take advantage of. Said headlamps draw less power from the electrical system of the vehicle. Headlights play great roles in augmenting the styling and appearance of the vehicles.

However, the greatest contribution of headlights is that they prevent crash during nighttime. According to the statistics reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Washington D.C., about 42 percent of all crashes and 58 percent of fatal crashes in the United States take place at night when the visibility becomes poor or degraded.

Other automakers have divulged their vision to use the recent breakthroughs in vehicle headlights. Further, digital lighting is anticipated to invade the industry in the coming years. Mahendra Dassanayake, staff technical specialist at Ford Motor Co., said, "Instead of talking about a lot of light all over [the road], we want to put smart light out where you need the light." Hence, it is expected that Ford headlights will soon be utilizing digital formatting.

Tracy is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine.