Targeted light helps the driver to stay in lane through roadworks, for example. When turning or moving through junctions, it can show the driver the way, even projecting arrows or similar graphics onto the road, if desired. The high-resolution light can highlight important traffic signs or very precisely prevent the blinding of other road users with glare.
The future is OLED
Audi is also making great strides in further developing lighting beyond the traditional ‘sealed unit’ headlamps of today, with a focus on greater use of precise laser lighting and OLED integration, allowing for freely moving light sources and the introduction of ‘swarm’ technology.
Testing to replace conventional bulbs in rear lights with OLED units is already well underway, and Audi is working hard to increase the brightness and suitability for this purpose.
OLED coatings applied to the car body’s sheet metal are being experimented with, and the interactive and dynamic potential of ‘swarm’ lighting will also have a place on the roads in future.
The swarm works by creating a continuous light surface from tiny flickering lights that can illustrate the movement of a car, for example, when a right turn is made, they flow to the right; when the car is braked they flow more dynamically and diffusely. The faster the car is going, the faster they move. The driver in the car behind can thus always tell at a glance what the driver ahead is doing.
Laser rear fog light
The safety function of the rear fog light can be improved by using laser light, which is currently in its predevelopment stages. Generated by a laser diode at the rear of the car, it presents the trailing driver with a bright, clear signal, thus keeping them at a safe distance.
Milestones in Audi lighting:
- 1994: Second-generation xenon headlights in the Audi A8
- 2003: Adaptive light in the Audi A8
- 2004: LED daytime running lights in the Audi A8 W1
- 2008: Full-LED headlights in the Audi R8, mercury-free xenon in A4 and above
- 2010: Headlights linked to navigation data in the Audi A8
- 2011: Visually homogeneous LED rear lights in the Audi A6
- 2012: Dynamic turn signals in the Audi R8
- 2013: Full-LED headlights in the Audi A3 for the compact class
- 2013: Matrix LED headlights in the Audi A8
- 2014: Headlights with laser spot in Audi R8 LMX
- 2014: Presentation of Matrix laser technology in Audi prologue show car
If visibility is good, the beam from the laser rear fog light, which is fan-shaped and inclined slightly downwards, is seen as a red line on the road.
The width of this line depends on the distance to the trailing vehicle: At a distance of 30 metres, the line is about as wide as the car. This clear signal is an unmistakable warning to the driver behind to maintain a safe following distance.
In fog or spray, the laser beam strikes the water droplets in the air and makes them visible; the line is then seen as a triangle. The laser rear fog light looks like a large warning triangle.
Back in the present day, every Audi ordered in S line specification is now equipped with LED daytime running lighting technology as standard.
Xenon plus lights are twinned with LED daytime running lights for a broad light spread and exemplary daytime recognition on A1, A3, A5 and Q5 S line models, while the-all new A4, A6, A7 Sportback, Q7 and TT S line versions all graduate to all-LED headlamp units as standard, delivering levels of illumination comparable to daylight in addition to minimal energy consumption, a long service life and noticeably better visibility.
