Japan is spearheading efforts to resolve critical safety and performance deficiencies in advanced LED automotive lighting systems, a problem that has increasingly concerned drivers worldwide.
The Japanese lighting component manufacturer Koito recently unveiled new technology designed to eliminate glare from high-beam LED headlights, even for oncoming traffic. This innovation directly addresses a significant complaint among motorists.
Koito’s new Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) technology features headlights containing 16,000 independent LEDs. These tiny lights can selectively dim or turn off specific sections, preventing dazzle while maximizing visibility for the driver.
The system uses the vehicle’s existing front camera, which detects cars, cyclists, pedestrians, and road signs, to precisely adjust the light intensity. This allows for brighter, more uniform illumination without blinding others.
Industry experts and regulatory bodies in Japan have also highlighted broader shortcomings of current LED headlights. While efficient, their real-world performance often falls short, particularly in adverse conditions.
Europe’s largest automobile club, ADAC, found that LED headlights frequently provide pale, insufficient light directly ahead of a vehicle. They also cause excessive reflection from road signs and increase glare for both the driver and oncoming traffic in rain, fog, or snow.
A contributing factor to poor real-world performance is the disappearance of headlight washers. These cleaning systems were mandatory in Europe for xenon headlights but are no longer required for LED systems.
Dirt, salt, and ice accumulation on LED lenses, especially in winter, scatter light, reducing effectiveness and intensifying glare. Some manufacturers, like Mercedes, have removed washers from their LED models, while others, such as Audi and BMW, still offer them as an option in certain markets.
While Europe will mandate automatic headlight height regulation by 2027, Japanese experts advocate for additional controls on illumination range. They argue this is crucial to truly eliminate poor forward visibility and enhance safety.
Advanced systems like Matrix LED headlights, which can cost over $1,620 as an optional extra or more than $3,240 for a replacement unit, also struggle with dirt or misalignment despite their automatic beam adjustment capabilities.
Koito, a major supplier to brands like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, and the parent company of performance lighting brand PIAA, announced its breakthrough with high enthusiasm. The company stated it created an LED light that does not dazzle oncoming vehicles even with high beams engaged.