CES 2015: Lasers light up BMW M4 Concept Iconic Lights
BMW's new lighting signature previewed for front and rear lights on the M4 performance coupe
Laser lights are already standard on the BMW i8 supercar, but at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the brand revealed a concept version of the M4 with the latest development of the lighting tech.
The BMW M4 Concept Iconic Lights uses lasers to project the main beam 600 metres down the road – twice that of conventional headlights – with an automatic Selective Beam anti-dazzle feature that cuts out some of the light to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.
The advanced lights also work with the navigation system to illuminate corners well in advance of the driver reaching them, while animals or pedestrians at the side of the road can find themselves lit up by the laser-based Dynamic Light Spot when they’re up to 100 metres away and the system thinks they may be a potential hazard.
And if the car’s cameras detect the road narrowing ahead, lasers will even indicate on the road whether the car can safely get through the gap.
The concept also features a new interpretation of BMW’s iconic twin headlight ‘Angel Eyes’ lighting signature. The cool new look features interlinking and squared off white LEDs, with blue strips inside the lights. At the back, OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) are used for new versions of the traditional BMW L-shaped tail-lamps and indicators, producing a 3D effect. Like laser lights, OLEDs are far more efficient, being lighter, taking up less space and using less energy to power them.
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