Headlight technologies Adaptive, cornering lights, self leveling lights

Over the years as automobiles evolved, so has the technology associated with them. An integral part of any automobile is its lighting system and the technology related to headlights has also progressed not just from the driver’s point of view, but also from that of the pedestrians and fellow drivers. 

Some of the latest technologies in car lighting systems or headlights are:

Adaptive headlights

Most car headlights are designed to point straight, these are useful when you’re driving on straight roads but are ridiculously inadequate especially when you have to tackle winding roads, especially in our country which are on most occasions are devoid of any street lighting. With adaptive headlights the projectors are allowed to swivel. The sensors in the car consider the speed, rotation and the angle of the steering wheel allowing the projectors to turn in the direction of the car. That way the headlights light up most of the road, even highlighting any potential hazards around the corners. The projectors on adaptive headlights swivel to a maximum angle of 15 degrees. The adaptive lighting technology is especially useful during long sweeping bends. 

Cornering lights

Cornering lights are usually small lights housed in the headlight assembly or in the fog lamps. These generally switch on at low speeds, or during the reverse gear or when the steering is turned in a particular direction. Modern age cars usually have a swiveling light in the fog lens or headlight assembly. When the car is turned in a particular direction, sensors activate the concerning light to turn in the direction of the car. Cornering lights highlight the blind spots during bends making it easier for the driver to spot any dangers. While adaptive lights highlight long bends, cornering lights provide extra brightness in the corners. 

Self leveling lights

This technology is mainly used in vehicles which employ HID lights. These are away brighter than halogen lamps and in return can blind pedestrians as well as oncoming vehicles, especially when driving in the hills or over bumps and elevated roads. In order to prevent this most cars with HIDs have a system which checks the cars inclination angle by monitoring the front and rear suspension. Electric actuators then adjust the projector beam up or down. This is similar to adaptive headlamps where the actuators control the swiveling from side to side; in self leveling lights they control the light projection up and down. Self leveling lights are a norm for cars with HID lights in Australia and Europe. 

In India you will find most of these technologies integrated in high-end cars like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi etc. Since these are high-end technologies they are a bit expensive to be integrated in budget cars which from the majority share in the Indian car market.