While Audi and BMW have both created advanced laser headlights, Mercedes-Benz has gone down a different route by unveiling its ‘Digital Light’ technology set to be adopted by its models in the near future.
First previewed by the company’s F015 concept, the headlights consist of what Mercedes dubs ‘micromirrors’. Each headlight consists of one million of this tiny mirrors which work in conjunction with a camera and radar sensors to alter light distribution depending on the environment and other road users. This is achievable as each mirror can be moved individually and helps to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.
Also found within each headlight are four light points consisting of 1,024 LED chips per unit, resulting in a total of 8,192 LEDs across both headlights.
According to the brand, it is not aiming for beam records like BMW and Audi and that it wants “to achieve optimum vision and maximum brightness without glare.”
The Digital Light technology is so advanced that it is able to project symbols onto a road surface, for example a zebra crossing, indicating to pedestrians that they may cross the road at night.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t given an exact date for when the technology will make its way into a production vehicle but says it “will be on the road in the near future”.
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