Putting the beam in Beamer
Posted 09.06.2011 at 2:28 pm
12 Comments
The BMW i8 Concept
Now with lasers.
BMW
Calling laser headlights “the next logical step” after the LED headlamp, BMW has announced that it will be rolling out laser-based illumination on its next-gen BMW i8 concept and will further develop laser headlight technology for extension across its various models. Why? It saves fuel. And presumably because laser headlights is something we’ve all secretly wanted on our European sports cars since MI6 tricked out 007’s first ride.
But before you let visions of Bond-dom take over your daydreams, know that these won’t be the kind of laser beams that blind or even dazzle (suffice it to say that you wouldn’t try to saw your arch-nemesis in half with these beams). The blue light from the laser-emitting diodes BMW is developing will be run through a fluorescent phosphor material inside the headlight unit that will convert it into a diffused white light that is bright and luminous but “pleasant to the eye.”
The advantage comes from the fact that laser diodes emit 170 lumens per watt whereas LED’s only produce 100 lumens per watt. That boost in energy efficiency translates into a more efficient car, BMW says. Further, you need less overall footprint to produce the same amount of light, so while BMW designers don’t intend to shrink the surface area of the headlamp (though theoretically they could), they will be able to reduce its overall under-the-hood size, allowing them to play with new possibilities for headlight positioning and body styling.
Plus, the company gets to deploy the advertising copy “now with laser headlights.” Selling point.
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perfect, innovation should not be second to invention. This can result on longer battery life if this vehicle is hybrid or electric in any way
Lasers are very expensive
why not add in a tracking system using infrared lasers scanning the road ahead for cars, deer, kids and bikers a infrared scanning laser could be uploaded to a car mounted road tracking system alerting the driver on obstacles to avoid by showing them on a screen.
Don't usually do this, but...
BMW Cars = Bimmers.
BMW Bikes = Beemers/Beamers.
Thank you, that is all.
Lol. Going to autozone, "Yeah I need a laser." Imagine someone changing a laser headlight. Sounds complicated & expensive. But then again, it's a BMW so expensive makes sense.
What about all those animals with highly sensitive night vision? In asia we have street dogs & cats. Will they be blinded temporarily or have permanent damage to their sight? What about pedestrians? Next logical step? Hmm...
Imagine this, car climbing steep incline, lights not dipped yet due some little glitch in chip, aeroplane in distance approaching runway...
On the bright side, the car looks good!!
@nknithi...did you read the article? {headlight unit that will convert it into a diffused white light that is bright and luminous but “pleasant to the eye.”}, this will not bother wildlife anymore than any bright light and planes will barely notice you, the speeding 2000lb bullet is a bit more dangerous to animals, cheers
unnecessary technology once again. unless its used for weapons or communication than its not very useful.
_________________
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animals with eyes sensitive to light?
huh?
all that makes animals other than humans able to see better in low light is a reflective layer behind their retinas bouncing the light back through again; which is why their eyes 'glow' as the light bounces back out their eyes.... unless the light can damage the retina the first time through, it wont damage the eye the 2nd time... so in other words, if it wont hurt a humans eye it wont hurt a cat's or dogs either...
cheers, eh
I never get tired of reading comments from people who think only they are clever enough to come up with "problems" with a new technology (esp. when that "problem" is addressed in the article).
*sarcasm*
Compared with engine displacement, timing, injection technology, transmission and differential gear, driving habits, and a horde of other things that affect fuel economy, the drain of headlights on fuel economy is nearly nill.
But ze Germans said, "Ya, but ve vill halve zat."
Next selling point: Magnets
I hope i get to see these kind of cars before i die.