Nichia and Infineon Technologies jointly develop HD light engine to provide high-resolution lighting for the entire driving field of view

As an important vehicle safety and popular design feature, automotive lighting has developed rapidly in the past few years. According to foreign media reports, Nichia and Infineon announced a collaboration to jointly develop an HD (high-definition) light engine equipped with more than 16,000 micro-LEDs for headlight applications. Unlike current HD solutions, the new device can provide drivers with high-resolution lighting throughout their field of vision.

(Image source: Nichia Chemical)

Kanji Bando, Director of Nichia Chemical's Advanced R&D Center, said, "Our new LED matrix light has a resolution 180 times higher than current similar solutions, paving the way for the development and improvement of new safety features and improving driving comfort. HD light can illuminate people or objects on the roadside to alert the driver. In addition, it can project markings on the road to help drivers navigate construction sites. At the same time, the device can also make glare-free high beams or cornering lights operate more accurately and smoothly.

The new HD light engine will use Nichia's micro-LED technology and Infineon's new driver chip. Andreas Doll, vice president and general manager of the Body Power Division of Infineon's Automotive Division, said, "Our chip will individually control and diagnose 16,000 micro-LEDs. Our new solution allows only the LEDs required for the actual light pattern to be turned on, so it not only improves safety but also significantly improves energy efficiency." The current particle mirror solution turns on all LEDs, which will deflect excess light.

The new HD light also helps automakers reduce design and production complexity while also improving ease of use for drivers. For example, left-hand and right-hand drive configurations have different lighting needs. Thanks to the new HD light engine, the necessary modifications can be digitally programmed at the factory or activated by the driver to meet their functional needs.