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The article reports that automakers and their suppliers are making greater use of hidden light-emitting diodes (LEDs) along with light pipes and micro lenses to alter the look of instrument panels. It discusses how designers are using light in new ways in an attempt to generate visual excitement without making it more difficult for drivers to see outside at night.

The article focuses on the increasing use of light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps by several automobile manufacturers. The Cadillac Escalade Platinum is considered the first production vehicle with high- and low-beam LED headlights. The Cadillac is not only the first to have totally LED front lighting, but it is also a higher-volume product. Audi announced that it will offer full LED lighting on its R8 sports car.

The article focuses on Hella's development of camera-based lighting systems in relation to vehicle efficiency, safety and reduction of driver workload through effective human machine interface. Bend lighting is available on a widening range of vehicles, and its application may be linked to GPS navigation systems. INSET: From moths to light entertainment..

The article discusses the evolution and importance of vehicle exterior lighting to automobiles. In 1930s and 1940s, there were efforts to give headlights a styling identity, and then came a trend towards hiding them behind flaps or tucking them away via pop-up motorized systems. Exterior lighting system contributes to the safety in driving automobiles. INSET: The inside story.

The article highlights the development of lighting technologies that deliver more design flexibility citing the development of high-density discharge (HID) xenon headlights. Design of lighting systems continues to improve as manufacturers seek to reduce costs and control the glare of automobile lights. As an incentive to improve the technology, car makers and suppliers can consider the opportunity for increased market penetration in North America where HID/Xenon has been much slower in gaining popularity. Fixed bending lights were also developed that illuminates to the side only when turning. HID developments have addressed cost, size and startup times over the life of the product.

Focuses on some of the advances in comfort and convenience features taking center stage at auto shows in 2005. Lexus variable gear ratio system; HotShot fluid technology and heated wiper fluid from Cadillac; Automatic headlight dimming; Real-time navigation; Side-object detection and lane-departure warning; Keyless entry and engine-start system.

Reports on the development of technology for optimized interior illumination design of automobiles by original equipment manufacturers. Popularity of using light emitting diodes to ensure homogenous lighting; Use of incandescent lamps for the interior lights; Application of cold cathode technology.

Focuses on the development of advanced frontlighting system (AFS), an approach to the lighting technology of cars from Visteon Corp. Integration of the lighting system to a navigation system; Benefits of AFS to visibility and driver awareness; Use of an automatic directional control. INSETS: An OEM's perspective on lighting.;Lighting for fuel efficiency..

Provides information on the Variable Intelligent Lighting System, a program for the development of an intelligent front-lighting system, by Hella KG Hueck & Co. Significance of the improvement in the lighting system; Specific issues that the program is addressing; Principal conditions defined by the company in the program.

Discusses advances and trends in automotive interior lighting. Integrated lighting solutions developed by engineers at Chicago Miniature Lamp; Common light sources for automotive interiors; Interior lighting design tips; Optical systems and integrated solutions.

Discusses designing of a lightpipe for automobiles. Why designing a lightpipe can be difficult; Light source variation; Optical properties that affect propagation of light from and within the material; Mechanical constraints in lightpipe design.

Features the Bifunction high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlamp systems developed by Automotive Lighting GmbH. Advantages of HID technology application in automobiles; Bifunction HID reflection systems; Difficulties experienced with development of a Bifunction HID system.

Focuses on the use of light emitting diodes (LED) for both taillight and center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) on automobiles. Safety benefits of LED and CHMSL; Use of computer simulation for optics and environmental considerations; Investments in electro-luminescense technology.

Presents information on automotive headlamps, focusing on industry engineers developing of technology to direct light dynamically where it is needed. Background information on automotive headlamps; Information on the need for intelligent lighting; Details on the development of adaptive lighting.

The article discusses research on low-energy, high-output light emitting diode (LED) lamps for forward lighting in trucks' headlamps. It references the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International technical paper 2013-01-0753 written by Albert Bolander and colleagues at Grote Industries LLC. The research, in cooperation with the Volvo Group, was made in support of the U.S. Department of Energy SuperTruck program which aims to increase the fuel efficiency of Class 8 trucks by 50%.

Reports that Lumileds Lighting LLC has increased the temperature ratings of its Luxeon light-emitting diodes line and added other features that should help it gain usage in automotive. Features that will simplify assembly in applications; Key applications.

Focuses on the light-emitting diode (LED) technology developed by Hella KG Hueck & Co. company for automotive signal lights. Optical systems for high-performance diodes; Applications of LED technology; Advantages of LED lights.

Provides information on the infrared laser diode headlights for automobiles developed by DaimlerChrysler AG. Types of visibility problems; Configuration of the system; Advantages of laser diode.

The article discusses the importance of thermal simulation in light emitting diode (LED) headlight designs. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software in a standard Mechanical Computer Aided Design (MCAD) environment such as the CATIA V5 software allows designers to develop luminaire models and test their heat dissipation properties. The FloEFD software, using a partial-cell methodology, speeds up the complete simulation to 3-4 days.

The article reports on a light emitting diode (LED) headlamp with adaptive lighting that will be supplied by Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. for the 2011 Audi A6 automobile.

The article discusses a revolution taking place in the area of the automotive semiconductor industry. It compares the changes with the growing trend of semiconductors replacing electromechanical components in various applications including headlights and tailpipes. It highlights the process qualification standards developed by the semiconductor industry which is investigating the requirements for automotive semiconductors. It cites the role of microcontrollers in accelerating electronic innovations in cars.

The article discusses the subtle ambient interior lighting solutions developed for Mini Countryman car by Schott, an affiliate of the Carl-Zeiss-Stifung Foundation. Schott supplied fiber-optic technology for the car model, illuminating a central area from the manual gearshift lever to the rear of the interior. The article also enumerates the advantages of Schott's ambient lighting, including offering homogenous and evenly distributed light output, no visible color shift, design freedom and cost saving as no extra tooling is required.

The article discusses the possible application of solar energy for vehicle lighting. Product manager of Advanced Technology for Grote Industries Inc. Rick Bozich shares the plan of working on a 1-mm thick LightForm light-emitting diode (LED) technology and explains its integration in 5-10 years. Senior vice president and chief technology officer of Truck-Lite Co. Inc. Brad Van Riper expresses his optimism on LED technology although it will take a while before it materializes.

Features Joule standardized system for rear signal lighting, an automotive LED lighting solution developed by Osram Sylvania Inc. Provision of an industrial standardized interface to a vehicle's 12-V electric supply; Capability in simplifying design process for rear combination lamp assemblies; Offers of new stop light safety features such as pulsed flashing and changing intensities.

Introduces the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Installation of light-emitting diodes headlamps; Improvement of driver visibility; Product features.

Reports on innovations in glass bending from Glasstech. External Press Bender for bending and tempering automotive sidelights; Success in meeting requirements of automobile manufacturers; Application of modular technology.

As high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights gain in popularity despite consumer complaints, light-emitting diodes (LED) are looming in the background, prompting many to ponder the direction of forward lighting. One answer is sideways, as designers look at ways to turn, or bend, light in the direction the vehicle is turning. European carmakers are leading the way, and companies of the U.S. are moving forward with systems that move headlights in conjunction with steering, bending to light the area where the car is headed. The technology requires physically turning the headlight, so it is typically done with projection lighting because it is easier to turn the projection bulb than it is a larger reflector and bulb assembly. Assemblies typically move between 15-25° toward the side of the vehicle, with fairly low movement toward the other side.

Discusses Hella's development of headlamps for DaimlerChrysler's Maybach 57 and 62 automobiles. Union of all the lighting functions of the Maybach's main headlamp system under the clear plastic cover lens; Electronic lighting unit in the roof lining; Use of white light-emitting diodes (LED) to generate intersecting light cones.

Presents the ten highest-rated automotive product announcements determined by readers of 'Automotive Engineering International' during the year 2001. LyTec lighting source from ELAM Electroluminescent Industries Ltd.; TorqueTrak 9000 digital radio telemetry system from Binsfeld Engineering; Orbital Combustion Process technology from Orbital Engine Corp.; SmartFire from Adrenaline Research.

Focuses on the Active Night Vision infrared lighting system developed by DaimlerChrysler company. Benefits of the system; Advantages of the Active Night Vision over other systems; How the system works; Move of DaimlerChrysler to test the light-duty applications of Active Night Vision in the Jeep Grand Cherokee automobile.

Focuses on the MOLIS automobile modular lighting system developed by Hella company. Use of light emitting diode light source in MOLIS; Benefits of MOLIS.

Describes the lighting system of the Sport version of DaimlerChrysler's 1999 Dodge Ram pickup truck. Enhancements made by Federal-Mogul Lighting Products; Dimensions of the headlamp lenses; Design of the headlamp optical unit.

Reports the application of virtual modeling techniques by the lighting designers for automobiles at Guide Corp. Purpose of the techniques; Overview on the establishment of Guide in 1906; Types of products it produce.

Presents information on the advantages of high-intensity-discharge headlamps in the automobile industry. Opportunity presented by remote lighting systems; Concept of the cold-bulb technology; Features of the complex-lens projection-type low beam.

Presents an improvement in lighting technology which gives designers increased flexibility in vehicle appearance with no loss in lighting performance. Development of complex vertical aperture low beam; Low-beam performance; Flexibility of headlamp location; Design examples.

Reports on European motor vehicle lighting specialist Hella's development of a novel car interior lighting system. Use of light guide technology to improve the reading and working conditions inside a car; Travel of light from one source through plastic fibers illuminating outlet points; Hella's use of a prototype vehicle to refine the system using a fiber network.

The article evaluates the light-emitting diode headlight lenses from Docter Optics.

The article reports on the growing acceptance of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the design and construction of automobiles. It reveals that white and colored LEDs have been making solid inroads in interiors, as well as in rear lighting. The article also discusses how LEDs are changing the way automakers view color.

The article focuses on the use of light emitting diodes (LCDs) on automobile headlights in the U.S. Audi AG's R8 became the first production vehicle to use them for both low- and high-beam forward lighting. According to Jason Posselt of Philips Lumileds, Audi is relying on LEDs alone for its forward lighting. He added that the challenge of LEDs is to get enough lumens and surface brightness to get a precision beam pattern. Meanwhile, Lexus company plans to sell a model with LED headlights.

The article highlights a type of optical filter system developed by Schott's Optics for Devices business unit to improve the head-up infrared night vision systems in most automobiles. Schott tested various filters and headlamp arrangements in order to develop the interference filter system. The system minimizes traffic accidents by making the halogen headlamp appear faintly white, rather than red, to oncoming drivers.

The article features the combination rear lamps developed by Hella and Volkswagen lighting specialists for the Golf Plus automobile. The lamps use light-emitting diode light sources that are able to emit both red and amber light. The taillight, stop light, and turn signal are located at the outside edge of the vehicle, with the reversing and fog lights inboard.

The article focuses on an active infrared lighting system developed by Automotive Lighting in cooperation with Mercedes Benz for the new S-Class automobile. The infrared system detects subtle changes in radiated heat emissions. A dynamic Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor camera system is used to acquire the infrared images, which are converted to human-visible images.

Features a new line of light emitting diode from Hella Inc. Capacity of Hella's bending lighting system called DynaView Evo2; Other equipment included in the product line; Added functions of the DynaView Evo2.

Presents news and developments in the automobile industry compiled as of July 2005. Details about a study by Virginia Tech University citing the degree to which driver inattention results in crashes; Implementation of measure by the European Union that will allow for by-wire steering systems; Denial of a request made by Mercedes-Benz for the use of brake lights by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Features Vishay Semiconductors' SMD 0603-LED series of ultra-bright light emitting diodes. Key features and specifications; Key automotive applications; Manufacturer information.

Features the new Luxeon III high-performance light-emittng diodes from Lumileds Lighting in 2005. Key features and specifications; Key automotive applications; Manufacturer information.

Focuses on the combination rear lamps developed jointly by Hella and Volkswagen lighting specialists for the latest Golf Plus automobile. Application of the light-emitting diode (LED) technology; Two-part design of the combination rear lamps on the Golf Plus; Safety-related advantages of LED.

Focuses on Hella Inc.'s headlight output control unit. Use of Dupont ceramic materials; Heat-dissipation characteristics.

Describes the advanced display technology, called Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), from Yazaki Corp. in the instrumentation cluster of Aston Martin DB9 automobiles. Features; Devices that have used the OLED technology prior to the first application in automobiles.

Introduces the headlight output control unit that uses DuPont ceramic materials developed by Hella Inc. Product features; Physical description; Applications.