DVN’s Paul-Henri Matha and Gerd Bahnmüller were invited to Marelli Automotive Lighting & Sensing’s headquarters and front lighting competence centre at Reutlingen. After a warm welcome, we were shown numerous new developments and innovations in presentations; in the light tunnel, and with samples. Then we had a great and detailed interview with the new R&D Vice President Raj Vazirani. Read about it all in this week’s edition of your DVNewsletter.
Marelli Automotive Lighting & Sensing (Marelli AL&S) has a global presence with development teams in 15 locations. Innovations are driven forward in Reutlingen (focus on front lighting); Tolmezzo (focus on rear lighting), and Shanghai (focus on the Asian market). Electronics development and sensor integration are also based in Reutlingen. With three standardized ECUs, Marelli AL&S can control all their numerous light modules, from the simple mono e-Light up to the more complex HD microLED modules. The trend in vehicle electronics towards zonal architecture is also actively supported with series applications, concepts, and prototypes for software-free front and rear lights. The specialists at Marelli AL&S see the greatest opportunities for radar sensors when it comes to integrating sensors into front lighting.
The Marelli AL&S team also presented some highlights for the rear lighting. In addition to a prototype with an integrated display, two new samples were particularly impressive: an OLED combination rear light with multiple 64-segment OLED panels surprises with animation even while driving. The new rear light of the BMW M4 brings the laser back into focus with three ‘red wires’ made of glass fibres that float freely in the space of the rear light.
In addition to the on running development of LED modules in all performance classes and designs, there are numerous innovations in the appealing design of the daytime running light and front position light functions. Elaborately-designed massive light blocks with corresponding texturing are just one example of the focus being placed on headlight design. The team also presented their ideas for electric vehicles with lighting increasingly extended to the entire front end. There is a particular focus on the use of these new possibilities for communication and signalling with attractive displays.
One impressive feature of the LED modules is the range of Marelli AL&S’ standardized concept that covers the diverse requirements in terms of performance, installation space and number of segments for ADB functionality. We would particularly like to highlight the modules shown with a slit design for light emission surface with a height of just 15 mm. Here the high beam module, also available in a matrix version, is also illuminated during dipped beam operation. The top-of-the-range module is the microLED HD module just launched in the Volkswagen Touareg. It, and the software control developed by VW, impressed us with its lighting performance and features such as highway lane light and pedestrian warning on country roads in the night driving test.
Another surprise of the night drive was the 16-segment matrix ADB module prototype in accord with US regulations. In the test environment of the night drive with slightly wet roads, there seemed hardly any difference to the performance of an ECE-ADB matrix application. A very successful development that gives us hope that ADB will also find its way into the USA despite the difficult regulatory conditions there.
All in all, this afternoon and evening was a day full of surprises and interesting information. Many thanks to the Marelli AL&S team – keep up the good work!
