INTRODUCTION

The majority of drivers feel stressed in poor visibility conditions, particularly at

night when the ability to perceive and judge distance is severely impaired. Despite
much lighter traffic on the roads at night, around 40% or more of all traffic fatalities
occur in many countries, such as the US, during night-time hours. The strain eases
and safety greatly increases if the road ahead is well lit. The recent introduction of
LED-based lighting for autos is set to improve driver safety and comfort at night, as
well as during the day, and offer additional advantages in cabin lighting. Moreover,
international standards will play a key role in the move to solid-state lighting (SSL)
in the auto.
The need for drivers to see other vehicles — and to be seen by them — after dark
emerged naturally as soon as cars first appeared on roads. Lighting had been present
on horse-drawn vehicles for a long time because of the same requirement. Initially,
in the 1880s, cars were fitted with acetylene and oil lamps. Vehicular lighting had
begun a long evolutionary journey.
Early car electrical systems were rather unstable and the lamps were subjected to
harsh conditions, such as shock and widely varying climatic conditions and
temperatures. All of these contributed to the somewhat slow large-scale
implementation of electric lamps, which started only in the 1920s. Other lamps
besides headlamps and tail lights have been introduced gradually to meet additional
needs. They include fog lamps and various kinds of signalling lamps such as
indicators and brake, emergency, parking, and reverse lights.

Slow initial progress

Because the ability to see ahead properly is fundamental to safe night driving,
improving the performance of headlamp lightbulbs has always been seen as
essential. Until the introduction of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, also
known as xenon lamps, the light source used in incandescent headlamps was a
tungsten filament placed in a vacuum or inert-gas atmosphere inside a bulb or a
sealed unit. The main drawback of tungsten bulbs is that their luminous flux
(intensity) drops significantly after some 1,000 hours. The tungsten bulbs were
further improved with the introduction of halogen gas in the bulbs in the early
1960s. Halogen bulbs had a higher luminous flux and longer useful lifetime.
Xenon lamps that generate light based on the principle of gas discharge were first
fitted to motor vehicles in the early 1990s. The xenon lamps represented a major
improvement over halogen lamps as their color temperature is closer to daylight,
they are brighter, they have a greater range, they better illuminate the edges of the
road, and they last at least twice as long as prior lamps. The main drawback to

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xenon is glare, which can be reduced by various automatic devices. In spite of
their qualities, they are not as widely adopted as halogen lamps.
The introduction of LED-based automotive lighting is a relatively recent
development. The first LED rear lights and headlamps were fitted to production
vehicles in 2003 and 2006, respectively. The benefits of LEDs, especially for
headlamps, are already obvious, including the fact that their light color is very
similar to daylight. LED headlamps are now being introduced by all major car
manufacturers and are seen as the future of automotive lighting.

Besides headlamps, LED-based lights can be used for general and interior lighting.
Their higher energy efficiency translates into lower fuel consumption and noxious
emissions, helping manufacturers meet ever more stringent regional or national
limits. LED light sources have a much longer lifetime that can outlast that of the
vehicle. They also offer an unprecedented level of design versatility that is essential
for manufacturers, allowing them to differentiate their vehicles from the
competition
.
International regulations and standards

Road vehicles are produced and traded globally and are used regularly across
national borders. The need for international standards is clear as road safety requires
that lights are standardized in terms of characteristics such as performance, color
durability, and interchangeability.
The UNECE (UN Economic Commission for Europe) is the international body that
sets many of the regulations for road vehicles through its World Forum for
Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP 29).
The UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE) is the
subsidiary body that prepares regulatory proposals on active safety for vehicle
lighting and light signalling. This group conducts research and analysis to develop
lighting requirements for vehicles. Most countries — with the notable exception of
the US and Canada, which have their own directives — recognize the UNECE
Regulations and apply them in their own national requirements. Much of the GRE's
work depends on and references various International Standards on lighting for road
vehicles prepared by the International Electrotechnical Commission
The relatively recent introduction of LED-based light sources has led to changes in
standards regulating lighting requirements. Initially fitted to the high-end/luxury
segment of the car market, LED lights are rapidly spreading to all categories of
vehicles due to their countless benefits and flexibility. As these lights represent a
completely new concept, they require new standards to ensure they meet road safety
regulations and operate properly in a very demanding environment.

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Differing requirements

The basic function and interchangeability of filament and discharge lamps for road
vehicles differ from those of LED light sources. The former types must comply with
the IEC 60809 International Standard that defines the dimensional, electrical, and
luminous requirements of lamps for road vehicles. In particular, this standard
defines the markings, bulbs, dimensions, colors, caps, and bases.
LED light sources, which are based on modules (LED components used by the
industry), are not covered by IEC 60809 but by other IEC standards specific to LED
modules. However, another International Standard, IEC 60810, which sets out the
performance requirements of lamps for road vehicles, applies to the three types of
lamps.
LED light sources must meet conditions that do not necessarily apply to filament
and discharge lamps, in regard to UV radiation, color maintenance, and
electromagnetic compatibility. As LED light sources have a longer rated lifetime
than filament or discharge lamps, their lumen maintenance is assessed differently.
Another issue that manufacturers have had to deal with is thermal management, and
LED modules and light sources often come with integrated heat sinks. Unlike their
filament and discharge counterparts, LED light sources are mainly of the non-
replaceable type and are usually intended as components for integration into the
luminaire or lighting device by manufacturers. They are designed and meant to be
indivisible parts of a lighting or light signaling device, or to be elements of a
module or light engine. The auto industry has developed replaceable LED modular
sources, usually intended for sale to the general public as a replacement part.

Unparalleled flexibility and benefits

LED light sources can replace all other types of automotive lamps. They are
available for headlamps (high and low beam), brake lights, rear combination lamps,
center high-mount stop lamps, daytime running lamps (DRLs), turn signals, interior
reading lights (map lights), dome lights, accent lights, fog lamps, and position and
marker lamps. Moreover, LEDs are being used for ambient lighting and in
dashboard and instrument lighting.

In addition to enhanced driving safety and comfort, LED light sources offer many
other benefits:
 Lighting flexibility: Lighting requirements and limitations vary greatly
according to traffic conditions. LED lighting solutions allow the optimal use
of environmental and traffic-related dynamically controllable light
distribution patterns such as dynamic bending of light or adaptive front
lighting systems (AFSs), already used for other types of automotive lamps.
Such adaptive lighting is particularly important to avoid blinding other
drivers when crossing or following other vehicles, especially in curves, or to

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 better see fixed or moving obstacles on road sides. LED lighting sources are
also dimmable.
 Durability and efficiency: LEDs for automotive lighting have a much longer
rated lifetime and use less energy than filament or discharge lamps. LEDs are
up to 40% more energy efficient than the former sources. Since less energy
for lighting translates into lower fuel consumption, this is a significant feature
at a time when tighter consumption and emission rules are introduced in all
countries even though road vehicles are required now to use DRLs.
 Design flexibility: A very important benefit of LED lighting solutions for car
manufacturers is the design flexibility they offer. Car design bureaus have
much greater freedom to come up with innovative designs using lighting to
accentuate or attenuate certain shapes and give cars a common brand
signature. LEDs were first fitted to vehicles from the exclusive segment of
the market, but they are found now in all classes of cars.
Potential not exhausted
LEDs for automotive or other applications are constantly evolving. Their potential
in the automotive sector is set to expand as LED modules improve and with the
introduction of new technologies such as OLEDs (organic LEDs), which produce a
comfortable and homogenous light.
Night driving does not depend only on good vehicle lighting but also on superior
road signage and lighting. LEDs are also increasingly showing the way in this very
significant area. More benefits of LED lighting have yet to been discovered and it
can be safely assumed that they will have a bright future in the road traffic
environment.

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 Objective of the study

 To ascertain the scope of LED lighting in automobile sector

 To learn and develop skills for professionalism

 To ascertain and compare the other options for Automotive lighting

 To learn the benefits and disadvantages of using LED lighting

Significance of the study

 Need for the marketers to evaluate and predict the outcomes of the study.

 To help environment by spreading awareness of the LED lighting and its

usage.

 Essential to bring out the history of the company.

Usage of the study

 As Review of literature

 As Secondary data

 Companies are able to analyze the scope of LED lighting.

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 About The Company

Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. (the company's preferred spelling: 'HELLA') is an
internationally operating German automotive part supplier with headquarters in
Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia. The company develops and manufactures
lighting and electronic components and systems for the automotive industry, and
also has one of the largest trade organizations for automotive parts, accessories,
diagnosis and services within Europe.

Hella is one of the top 50 global automotive suppliers and belongs to the 100 largest
industrial companies in Germany. Worldwide, about 30,700 people are employed in
more than 100 locations in over 35 countries. More than 5,800 engineers and
technicians work in research and development within the company.

HISTORY
Sally Windmüller founded the company in 1899 under the name Westfälische
Metall-Industrie Aktien-Gesellschaft (WMI) to produce ball horns and candles and
kerosene lamps for carriages.

Hella's name first appeared in 1908 as a trademark for acetylene headlights. In

1923, the manufacturing family Lüdenscheider Hueck took over the majority of the
shares. The name “Hella” was included in the company name in 1986. The most
likely explanation for the Hella brand is attributed to Sally Windmüller: He wanted
to honour his wife Helen, in short Hella, and also wanted to use the playful
association between this name and the German word hell (bright).

After World War II the company started to expand, so that in 1951 the first
subsidiary company was founded in Wembach. Today HELLA has six different
production manufactures in Germany, which are located in Lippstadt, Bremen,
Recklinghausen, Hamm (Bockum-Hövel), Nellingen and Wembach.

Early internationalization and the creation of a global distribution network in the

1960s resulted in the company developing one of the largest distribution networks
in the industry, including its own subsidiaries and partners in numerous markets
worldwide. In 1961, for example, the first foreign production plant was founded in
Mentone, Australia. Today HELLA has more than 100 places of location in over 35
countries and is operating in the economic region of Europe, NAFTA/South
America, Africa and Asia/Pacific.

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Since the early 1990s Hella is also part of several Joint Ventures with other
automotive part suppliers. Those Joint Ventures help developing other fields of
competence. At the moment HELLA cooperates with several different companies,
such as Mahle Behr, Plastic Omnium, Samlip, Leoni, Mando, TMD Friction and
InnoSenT GmbH. Joint Ventures are, for example, HBPO GmbH and BHTC GmbH
in Lippstadt. Furthermore, the holding "HELLA Stanley Ltd Pty" with Stanley
Electric Co., Ltd. was founded in 2002, which is located in Melbourne.

In 2008, Hella started a joint venture between Hella and Gutmann Messtechnik
GmbH, diagnostic specialists, to devote more attention to this area. Also in 2008, it
was announced that the company would pay more attention in the future to issues
and items that are outside of the traditional automotive domain. That same year,
Hella sold Danish subsidiary Holger Christiansen A/S to the automotive supplier
Bosch.

Because of strong economical fluctuations Hella recorded a loss in the fiscal year
2005/06. The management decided for a program to lower the costs and increase
efficiency, so that in the following fiscal year 2006/07 an operational gain could be
recorded. In the fiscal year 2007/08 this operational gain increased again.
Furthermore, Hella recorded the second highest consolidated sale of 4,4 billion
Euro. In the following fiscal years a constant growth was recorded, which reached
5,3 billion Euro in 2013/14.

Business Portfolio
The commercial activities of the Hella Group can be divided into three segments,
which together form the company's well-balanced business portfolio. Within its
Automotive Segment, HELLA bundles development, production and the marketing
of lighting and electronic components and systems both for vehicle manufacturers
and for other suppliers. HELLA prides itself on constantly focusing on the key
megatrends present in the automobile industry - the environment, safety and
comfort and convenience - and tunes in to these with products such as intelligent
battery sensors, radar-based driver-assistance systems and also adaptive lighting
systems.

At the same time in the Aftermarket Segment, HELLA develops, produces and
markets products for the independent aftermarket and for garages.

HELLA's Special Applications Segment serves target groups ranging from the
producers of construction machinery through boat builders right up to municipalities
and energy suppliers by providing them with innovative lighting and electronic
products. HELLA's ability to offer systematic transfer and suitable adaptation of

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technological, process and quality know-how straight from the automotive area
forms the basis of the company's exceptional competitiveness when it comes to
costs and high-octane innovation.

The main businesses of Hella can be divided into three segments: Automotive,
Aftermarket and Special Applications. The Automotive Segment consists of the
development, production and marketing of lighting and electronic components and
systems both for vehicle manufacturers and for other suppliers. In the Aftermarket
Segment the company develops, produces and markets products for the independent
aftermarket and for garages. The Special Applications Segment serves target groups
ranging from the producers of construction machinery through boat builders right
up to municipalities and energy suppliers by providing them with innovative
lighting and electronic products.

In the division lightning, Hella develops and manufactures headlamps, refulgence

and interior lighting. Recent innovations include headlights that adapt to the
prevailing driving and weather situation. Headlamps with LEDs as light sources for
low beam and high beam are already produced in series. An example would be the
beams in the Cadillac Escalade Platinum. As daytime running lights, they are in
many middle and upper class vehicles often been voted as standard. Camera-based
driver-assistance systems provide the next level of innovation. They create new
opportunities for optimum light distribution, depending on the traffic situation. For
this reason, the company took over AGLAIA, the Berlin-based specialist for visual
sensor systems, in 2006.

Systems to increase efficiency and safety and comfort systems dominate the
electronic product portfolio. These include Data-enabled electronic control units and
roof modules as complex light-electronic modules, as well as Vehicle access and
driving authorization. Modules for power management to optimise the energy
balance of the electrical system and improve the battery charge balance. Innovation
and growth area are electronic driver assistance systems. With infrared (lidar), 24-
GHz radar and camera and ultrasonic sensors, Hella offers here a powerful
technology portfolio and the corresponding series experience. Another important
business segment are electronic components such as position sensors, actuators,
vacuum pumps and wash water systems.

Hella is one of the world's largest companies selling automotive parts and
accessories with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries.
Thus Hella supplies the automotive aftermarket and garages with comprehensive
and continually growing parts ranges in the core areas of lighting, electrical,
electronics and thermal management. In addition, the aftermarket and garages are
provided with effective sales support and expert technical service. In 2005, the joint

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venture Behr Hella Service was established for the collective processing of the
global independent aftermarket for vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling.

Through strategic partnerships with companies such as Behr and Plastic Omnium,
Hella is well established in other areas, such as front-ends (joint venture HBPO
GmbH, Lippstadt), and climate control systems and engine cooling (joint venture
BHTC GmbH, Stuttgart).

In addition to car accessories designed for civilian cars, Hella also manufactures
special signaling for official emergency vehicles. These include flash beacons and
beacons (in blue and yellow), Visual Warning Systems (OWS) and all-round sound
combinations (RTK). These are compact roof structures that combine the two blue
lights, sirens, and possibly several additional issues. Police, emergency services, fire
departments, agencies for technical aid and numerous other operators of deployment
and use special vehicles use them. Also part of the product range of authorities, are
headlights on the bumper and some other products (e.g., covert special signal for
civilian emergency vehicles).

The New Zealand subsidiary, Hella New Zealand Limited, provides the Hella
marine lights program for marine use. These include not only the mast and interior
lighting with LED technology and lighting systems for boat trailers.

In the 'Industries' segment Hella transfers existing technologies from the automotive
sector to new target groups. As a first pilot project some cities in China have been
provided with these new street lights. Another project is the LED-airport beacons,
which can be found at the airports of Luxembourg, Paderborn/Lippstadt and
Stavanger. Despite, new components for LED-interior lighting are being offered.

In 2012 Hella started a cooperation with the Chinese automobile manufacturer

BAIC to develop and produce light systems, particularly designed for the Chinese
market.

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Lighting Division

Vehicle lighting was the very first field that allowed HELLA to grow, so there is
still a close association between the HELLA brand and lighting of various kinds.
We offer a wide range of products covering all aspects of vehicle lighting, from
headlamps and combination rear lamps to signal lamps, interior lamps and lighting
electronics. Our development activities currently focus on features and technologies
expected to be especially important in the future, generating benefits that customers
can see and touch, such as light-based driver assistance systems, LEDs and design
elements.

Milestones

Highlights

 Decades of history as a leading supplier of automotive lighting technology

innovations
 Launch of the world’s first camera
 Use of industrialized LED applications in headlamps as early as 2003
 In-house design team helps support our customers

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Facts

 Product range: headlamps, multi-function lamps, interior lighting, lighting

electronics
 10 development sites (in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, the United
States, Mexico, India, and China)
 17 production sites (in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Mexico, and China)

Electronic Division

The number and complexity of the electronic components used in vehicles has
skyrocketed over the past few years, and there’s no end in sight. Although we first
started out in lighting electronics, we have now become an expert supplier of all
kinds of vehicle electronics solutions.

Our product portfolio ranges from complex body electronics such as central control
units and access systems to various electronics components, including sensors and
vacuum pumps. We are also active in the rapidly growing energy management and
driver assistance systems segments, where we offer a wide range of attractive
innovations.

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Milestones

Highlights

 Global production and assembly network

 International customer structure
 Established provider of innovative vehicle electronics worldwide:
 More than 15 years supplying products to help boost fuel economy and cut
CO2 emissions in the energy management segment, plus sensors and
actuators
 Market and technology leader in the 24 GHz radar sensor segment
 Leader in access and driving authorization systems
 Scalable vehicle electric system control units for all vehicle segments

Facts

 20 development sites in Germany, France, Romania, the United States,

Mexico, India, China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam
 12 production sites in Germany, Romania, the USA, Mexico, India, China
and Brazil
 A reliable electronics partner for almost 60 years
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Aftermarket

With its aftermarket product range comprising over 40,000 items, HELLA offers
wholesalers of automotive parts and independent garages a powerful portfolio,
which covers a great deal of the market. The focal point of the range showcases
products from the lighting, electrics, electronics and thermal management segments.
The products are sourced from our own production plants within the Aftermarket
Business Segment, from joint ventures with other established parts manufacturers
and also from the HELLA Original Equipment Segment. The segment also serves
the equipment and diagnostics business for garages.

Milestones

Highlights

 Top 3 supplier in the Independent Aftermarket in Europe

 Extensive product range focusing on lighting, electrical equipment,
electronics and thermal management

Facts
 Product range: lighting, electrical equipment, electronics, thermal
management, diagnostics, garage equipment
 5 production sites (in Germany, Romania, Spain, the Philippines, and
Australia)
 Present in more than 100 countries

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SPECIAL APPLICATIONS

Hella Special Applications Segment supplies a wide range of target groups with
innovative lighting and electronic products, from the manufacturers of construction
vehicles and boats to municipalities and energy suppliers. HELLA's ability to offer
systematic transfer and suitable adaptation of technological, process and quality
expertise acquired directly from the automotive sector forms the basis of the
company's exceptional competitiveness when it comes to costs and high-octane
innovation.

Highlights

 Development of the first design-oriented bus tail light with LED light guides
 Multi-award-winning innovative LED street lighting
 More than 54,500 HELLA LED street lights installed worldwide
 Complete equipping of the runways of a US airport and many other
installations

Facts

 Product range: lighting and electronic products for special vehicles such as
buses, caravans, agricultural and construction vehicles; road, industrial and
interior lighting; airport lighting
 6 development sites (in Denmark, Germany, Finland, India, New Zealand and
Austria)
 8 production sites (in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, Finland,
India, New Zealand, Austria and Romania)

HELLA IN FIGURES

With sales of around € 5.8 billion, the Hella Group is among the top 40 automotive
suppliers in the world and is one of the 100 largest German industrial companies.
Today 28 percent of the total sales is generated in Asia/Pacific/RoW with 21
percent coming out of North and South America. HELLA employs around 32,000
people worldwide, about 6,000 of whom work in Research and Development. These
are all very good signs that the figures of the future will be equally rosy.

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

FY 2014-2015 FY 2013-14* Change

Sales (in Mill. €)

5,835 5,343 +9 %
EBITDA (in Mill. €)
766 656 +17 %
EBIT (in Mill. €)
430 347 +24 %
Consolidated result (in Mill. €)
295 230 +29 %
R&D expenditure (in Mill. €)
544 514 +6 %
Number of employees
31,864 30,692 +4 %

* Adjusted on account of reclassification of other financial results. Further

explanations are contained in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statement
under number 6.

HELLA IN INDIA

HELLA is known for setting global standards for quality, customer orientation and
has created a niche for itself in both international and domestic market as a supplier
to leading vehicle manufacturers.

HELLA has an experience of over 50 years of its presence in Indian market as it

entered Into JV with JMA Industries in the year 1959. HELLA India Automotive
Pvt. Ltd. (earlier known as HELLA India Electronics Pvt. Ltd.) was established as
a 100% subsidiary of HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co of Germany in 2005 by ending
the JV Padmini Engg. Pvt. Ltd. and HELLA India Lighting Ltd. was established as
81% subsidiary of HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co of Germany in 2005 by ending the
JV JMA Industries.

HELLA has its presence across major automobile hubs in India with five locations-
two manufacturing locations in Dhankot, Gurgaon and Derabassi, near Chandigarh,
one Global Electronics Development Centre in Pune, one Engineering Centre in
Chennai and one Independent Aftermarket location in Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon.
HELLA India has employee strength of over 1600 people. Hella introduces a

15
comprehensive range of quality automotive parts and accessories, both for OEM’s
and Independent Aftermarket.

Milestones

HELLA INDEPENDENT AFTERMARKET

Headquartered at Gurgaon, the Aftermarket division of HELLA has its offices and
distribution points across India, with a more than 113 team strength. Currently the
Independent Aftermarket unit has116 authorized distributors and 3,000 authorized
retail partners to support a wide range of domestic and international lighting,
electrical and thermal product portfolios of HELLA and Behr Hella Service. The
field sales force of HELLA visits more than 12,000 customers per month and
organizes more than 60 awareness campaigns per month to create awareness
amongst target trade partners and target consumers. We focus on training and
networking with our electricians to ensure optimal service for our end consumers.
For customers the HELLA India Aftermarket organization is the single face direct
partner concerning product varieties sourced from all HELLA companies and
plants in India and abroad. The IAM unit is headed directly by Mr.Rama Shankar
Pandey, Managing Director - HILL.

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HELLA INDIA AUTOMOTIVE
Hella India Automotive (HIA) has grown to be an important electronic and
component supplier for the Indian automotive market.

HIA incorporates the Design Center in Pune, Engineering Center in Chennai and
Manufacturing Unit in Dhankot.

HIA’s Comfort, Environment and Safety product portfolio includes-

 Comfort - Body Control Modules (BCMs), Car Access Passive Entry

(CAPE), Remote Key Entry (RKE), Switches, Temperature Sensors, Rain
Light Sensor Application
 Environment - DC/DC Converters, Intelligent Battery Systems (IBS), Fuel
Control Module (FCM), Vaccum Pumps, Car Body Linear Actuators,
Accelerator Pedal Sensors (APS)
 Safety - Horns
Major customers include Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra
REVA, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, Hyundai, Honda, General Motors, Ford, IFB,
Behr, Lumax, IJC, Nippon etc.

HELLA INDIA LIGHTING LTD.

HELLA India Lighting Ltd. brings “Technology of Tomorrow for the Life of
Today” to Indian Roads. Member of the Management Board of the HELLA Group,
Germany, along with all employees of HILL, have adopted the new strategy for the
company to focus all future activities around the central theme of ensuring road
safety on Indian Roads. In this regard HILL focuses on state of the art technology
products for the special OE segment and safety awareness campaigns through its
strong independent Aftermarket network.

India is one of the focus markets for the HELLA Group and in the last years Hella
India Lighting has turnaround its operations and thus earned the right to grow.
HILL has achieved benchmark in quality performance and assured resource
support for training and development of all employees to perform the “Technology
Jump”.To operationalize the new strategy of HILL and to perform the “Technology
Jump”, HELLA’s plant at Derabassi has gone through modernization and the plant
has been equipped with latest machines and facilities.

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HELLA India Lighting has set up its company vision to impact the aspect of
recognition. Moreover the company seeks to lower the number of deaths during
traffic accidents by 10% by the end of this decade. The latest death toll figures
show that there are almost 1 lakh deaths due to road accidents. This issue is of
prime importance to HILL. The company’s vision is able to create and unlock a
new value paradigm for end consumers. The safety cycle during night – to see and
to be seen – is of great importance. Looking at the number of road accidents, the
increasing death toll and the social and economic impact, HELLA is committed to
road safety through its company vision. HILL has launched safety enabling
products, tries to increase awareness of safety critical do’s and don’ts and actively
engages with related non-governmental organizations and governmental
departments.

Milestones

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 WHAT IS LED LIGHTING?

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a two-lead semiconductor light source. It is a p–n

junction diode, which emits light when activated. When a suitable voltage is
applied to the leads, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the
device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called
electroluminescence, and the color of the light (corresponding to the energy of the
photon) is determined by the energy band gap of the semiconductor.

An LED is often small in area (less than 1 mm2) and integrated optical components
may be used to shape its radiation pattern.

Appearing as practical electronic components in 1962. The earliest LEDs emitted

low-intensity infrared light. Infrared LEDs are still frequently used as transmitting
elements in remote-control circuits, such as those in remote controls for a wide
variety of consumer electronics. The first visible-light LEDs were also of low
intensity, and limited to red. Modern LEDs are available across the visible,
ultraviolet, and infrared wavelengths, with very high brightness.

Early LEDs were often used as indicator lamps for electronic devices, replacing
small incandescent bulbs. They were soon packaged into numeric readouts in the
form of seven-segment displays, and were commonly seen in digital clocks.

Recent developments in LEDs permit them to be used in environmental and task

lighting. LEDs have many advantages over incandescent light sources including
lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved physical robustness, smaller
size, and faster switching. Light-emitting diodes are now used in applications as
diverse as aviation lighting, automotive headlamps, advertising, general lighting,
traffic signals, camera flashes and lighted wallpaper. As of 2015, LEDs powerful
enough for room lighting remain somewhat more expensive, and require more
precise current and heat management than compact fluorescent lamp sources of
comparable output.

LEDs have allowed new text, video displays, and sensors to be developed, while
their high switching rates are also used in advanced communications technology.

With the development of high-efficiency and high-power LEDs, it has become

possible to use LEDs in lighting and illumination. To encourage the shift to LED
lamps and other high-efficiency lighting, the US Department of Energy has created
the L Prize competition. The Philips Lighting North America LED bulb won the
first competition on August 3, 2011 after successfully completing 18 months of
intensive field, lab, and product testing.

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LEDs are used as street lights and in other architectural lighting. The mechanical
robustness and long lifetime is used in automotive lighting on cars, motorcycles,
and bicycle lights. LED light emission may be efficiently controlled by using
nonimaging optics principles.

LED street lights are employed on poles and in parking garages. In 2007, the
Italian village of Torraca was the first place to convert its entire illumination
system to LEDs.

LEDs are used in aviation lighting. Airbus has used LED lighting in its Airbus
A320 Enhanced since 2007, and Boeing uses LED lighting in the 787. LEDs are
also being used now in airport and heliport lighting. LED airport fixtures currently
include medium-intensity runway lights, runway centerline lights, taxiway
centerline and edge lights, guidance signs, and obstruction lighting.

LEDs are also used as a light source for DLP projectors, and to backlight LCD
televisions (referred to as LED TVs) and laptop displays. RGB LEDs raise the
color gamut by as much as 45%. Screens for TV and computer displays can be
made thinner using LEDs for backlighting.

The lack of IR or heat radiation makes LEDs ideal for stage lights using banks of
RGB LEDs that can easily change color and decrease heating from traditional stage
lighting, as well as medical lighting where IR-radiation can be harmful. In energy
conservation, the lower heat output of LEDs also means air conditioning (cooling)
systems have less heat in need of disposal.

LEDs are small, durable and need little power, so they are used in handheld devices
such as flashlights. LED strobe lights or camera flashes operate at a safe, low
voltage, instead of the 250+ volts commonly found in xenon flashlamp-based
lighting. This is especially useful in cameras on mobile phones, where space is at a
premium and bulky voltage-raising circuitry is undesirable.

LEDs are used for infrared illumination in night vision uses including security
cameras. A ring of LEDs around a video camera, aimed forward into a
retroreflective background, allows chroma keying in video productions.

LEDs are used in mining operations, as cap lamps to provide light for miners.
Research has been done to improve LEDs for mining, to reduce glare and to
increase illumination, reducing risk of injury to the miners.

20
LEDs are now used commonly in all market areas from commercial to home use:
standard lighting, AV, stage, theatrical, architectural, and public installations, and
wherever artificial light is used.

LEDs are increasingly finding uses in medical and educational applications, for
example as mood enhancement, and new technologies such as AmBX, exploiting
LED versatility. NASA has even sponsored research for the use of LEDs to
promote health for astronauts.

Benefits and drawbacks of LEDs

LEDs offer a huge variety of benefits but at the same time they cannot be viewed
as the optimum solution for every lighting-related application. Here, in no
particular order, we list some of the main advantages of LEDs, together with some
of the challenges faced by these devices.

Lifetime

As solid-state light sources, LEDs have very long lifetimes and are generally
very robust. While incandescent bulbs may have an expected lifetime (to failure) of
1000 hours, LEDs are often quoted of having a lifetime of up to 100,000 hours -
more than 11 years. However, this figure is extremely misleading; like all other
light sources, the performance of LEDs degrades over time, and this degradation is
strongly affected by factors such as operating current and temperature.
At present, there is no standard definition of lifetime for LEDs, although various
parties have suggested that lifetime should be the time taken for the LED’s output
to fall to some percentage (such as 70% or 50%) of its original value.

Standardization

The general lack of standardization in the LED field is an ongoing issue. Various
standards relating to LEDs exist in areas such as automotive lighting and traffic
signals. Other efforts are being conducted by bodies such as CIE, NEMA and IES.

Low maintenance

The long lifetime of LEDs reduces the need to replace failed lamps, and this can
lead to significant savings, particularly in the cost of sending out maintenance
crews. This also makes LED fixtures useful for installation in relatively
inaccessible locations. However, if tasks like cleaning the light fixture or

21
performing electrical checks need to be carried out regularly, then the light sources
could be replaced at the same time, negating the "low maintenance" advantage.

Efficiency

LEDs are high-efficiency light sources. White LEDs with efficacies of 25 lm/W
and up are commercially available, exceeding the performance of incandescent and
some fluorescent sources. The directional nature of light produced by LEDs allows
the design of luminaires with higher overall efficiency.

Low power consumption

The low power consumption of LEDs leads to significant energy savings that can
often drive the installation of LED-based systems, for example traffic signals.
National programs to develop effective solid-state lighting industries in the US and
Japan have been driven by the potential energy savings associated with using
LEDs.

Brightness

Although LEDs have high efficiency and consume a small amount of power, the
devices produce a small total number of lumens. For example, a 60 W incandescent
bulb with an efficiency of 20 lm/W produces 1200 lumens. A one-watt LED with
an efficiency of 30 lm/W produces only 30 lumens i.e. 40 such LEDs are required
to produce the same amount of light as the incandescent bulb.

Heat

LEDs don't produce heat in the form of infrared radiation, which makes
incandescent bulbs hot to the touch. The absence of IR radiation allows LED
fixtures to be positioned in locations where heating from conventional sources
would cause a particular problem e.g. illuminating food or textiles.
However, LEDs do produce heat at the semiconductor junction within the device.
The wall-plug efficiency (optical power out divided by electrical power in) of LED
packages is typically in the region of 5-40%, meaning that somewhere between 60
and 95% of the input power is lost as heat.
Without very efficient thermal management and heat sinking this causes the
junction temperature of the LED to rise, which causes the LED characteristics to
change. Driving LEDs above their rated current causes the junction temperature to
rise to levels where permanent damage may occur.

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Cost

In many applications, LEDs are expensive compared with other light sources, when
measured by metrics such as “dollars-per-lumen”. LED manufacturers continue to
work towards reducing their production costs while at the same time increasing the
light output of their devices.
However, the high initial cost of LED-based systems is offset by lower energy
consumption, lower maintenance costs and other factors.

Small form-factors

LEDs are very small - typical high-brightness LED chips measure 0.3 mm by 0.3
mm, while high-power devices can be 1 mm x 1 mm or larger. There are many
examples where the availability of small, high-brightness devices have enabled
significant market advancement. The obvious example is in mobile phone handsets,
where blue, green and white LEDs are now used in most models to backlight
keypads and liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens.

Instantaneous switch-on

LEDs switch on rapidly, even when cold, and this is a particular advantage for
certain applications such as vehicle brake lights.

Color

LEDs are available in a broad range of brilliant, saturated colors (although

performance varies across the spectrum), andwhite devices are also available.
Modules containing different-colored LEDs (typically red, green and blue, or
RGB) can be tuned to a huge range of colors, and easily dimmed. RGB modules
provide a much wider gamut of colors than white LEDs or other traditional white
light sources, which is a particular advantage in applications such as backlighting
liquid-crystal displays (LCDs).

RGB LEDs and color mixing

LED characteristics change with time, temperature and current, and from device to
device. For RGB LEDs, the performance of different-colored devices changes at
different rates. This can result in variation of lamp color and intensity, and poor
reproducibility.

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White LEDs

The color of white LEDs can be very inconsistent, although manufacturers have
narrowed their binning ranges. White LEDs with the same correlated color
temperature can have different color tints perceptible to the human eye.

Semiconductor processing

Fabricating LEDs is a complex high-temperature process involving the growth of

crystalline layers across the surface of a semiconductor wafer. The quality of these
layers determines the properties of the LED. Reproducibility is difficult to achieve
across a single wafer, or from wafer to wafer, or from day to day. Some LEDs
processed from a wafer will yield high quality devices, while others from the same
wafer will have much lower quality and will end up in low-end applications such as
children's toys.

Designability

LEDs open up many new design options, some of which were previously
inconceivable.

Environmental

LEDs do not contain mercury and in many cases steps are being taken to replace
lead-containing solders (used mainly to fix LEDs to circuit boards) with lead-
free material, in line with European directives. The energy-efficient nature of LEDs
also makes them environmentally friendly.

Drivers

LEDs are low-voltage light sources, generally requiring a constant DC voltage or

current to operate optimally. Designing and implementing an effective driver is key
to obtain all the benefits of LEDs.

Knowledge gap

In general, there is a gap in understanding between the LED manufacturers and the
lighting community. The former group do not include the latter in their product
development activities and do not provide information that is directly comparable
to the information available for competing light sources. The latter do not
understand a huge amount about LEDs and are unfamiliar with crucial issues such
as thermal management, or why white LED performance is not highly consistent.

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 Automotive Lighting at a Global View

Automotive lighting is as important part of automobile designing as its engine

design. It plays not just a cosmetic role, but also a functional one. Aesthetically,
automotive lighting are seen as the eyes of the car, but functionally automotive
lighting is the only chance of a driver to see what lies ahead of the road. In the
history of advanced automotive lighting can be traced back to a time when fueled
lamps were used by carriage drivers to wade through the darkness. The earliest
example of automotive lighting can be seen in Ford Model T which used oil lamps
for tail lamps and carbide lamps for headlamps. Over the years, the automotive
lighting segment witnessed a great revolution with dynamos for automobile
headlines in 1908, while the brake lamps and tail lamps came about in 1915. Ever
since 1993 when LED lamps were first used for tail lamps there was no looking
back to the fast-paced growth of global automotive lighting market, both in terms
of innovative technology and design, and usage.

The main function of automotive lighting is to provide adequate illumination. The

lighting system of an automobile is integrated in various ways for signaling
purposes, front lighting, back lighting, side and top parts of a vehicle, to indicate,
position, determine the direction of travel, and speed of the vehicle. The other
components of automobile lighting include headlights, taillights, interior light, off
road lights, fog lights, key lights, off road lights, auxiliary lights, instrument
display light, and other light accessories. All of these lights are used for the
purpose of making the drive safe in tough terrains, during foggy weather
conditions, in rains, to warn other drivers on the street, in the dark, and to enhance
visibility.

Market Segmentation of Global Automotive Lighting Market

The global automotive lighting market has been segmented on the basis of types,
application, products, technology, and geography. On the basis of geography, the
global automotive lighting market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific,
Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW).

Future of Global Automotive Lighting Market

Some of the key growth drivers for global automotive lighting market is the
permanent concern about road safety, usage of efficient LED automotive lighting
technology, and the regulatory framework of the government with regards to the
automobile lighting conventions. The reasons adding to the growing global
automotive lighting market is the increasing purchasing power of consumers who
can now afford advance front lighting systems (AFS) and daylight running lights

25
(DRLs). Additionally, as the number of car buyers in BRIC nations is rising at an
extremely fast pace, it is offering a great opportunity to the global automotive
lighting market to grow seamlessly in the next few years.

Most of the automobile manufacturers are looking at ways of minimizing the the
energy consumption by using adaptive lighting technologies and LED lighting.
LED lighting methods are also being preferred by consumers are these lights are
easily available, are cheaper than other options, they are easy to maintain, and can
be conveniently replaced in case of damage. The three important technologies used
in automotive lighting are LED, halogen, and xenon. Out of these, halogen happens
to be the most dominant segment.

Geographically, Asia Pacific happens to be the biggest automotive lighting market

across the globe. With countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and India that
are the new emerging economies which are offering a great opportunity to the
automobile industry and thus to automotive lighting market as well. Some of the
key players in the global automotive lighting market are General Electric (GE),
Hyundai Mobis, Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co., Ichikoh Industries Ltd, Stanley Electric
Co. Ltd, Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Magneti Marelli S.P.A, Osram GMBH,
Royal Philips Electronics, Valeo S.A and Zizala Lichtsysteme GMBH (ZKW). The
financial outlooks of these companies, their research and development activities,
and their innovative ideas will decide the future of the global automotive lighting
market.

TYPES OF LIGHTINGS
Automotive lighting is at its most transformational stage since the U.S. government
deregulated rectangular and round sealed-beam units in the mid-’80s. By 2019, two
major safety-testing agencies (NHTSA and IIHS) will factor headlamp
performance into their overall ratings of new cars, and award honors to the most
effective. What now is a smattering of signature jewelry and elaborate reflectors is
likely to get brighter, smarter, and cheaper, and we visited Osram Sylvania, a Tier
2 supplier and one of the few automotive lighting manufacturers left in the U.S., at
its New Hampshire plant to find out what’s on the horizon.

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 1. HALOGEN

High-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, in which xenon gas is used to create a

precisely focused, bluish-white arc of light at a fraction of the wattage required by
incandescent bulbs, are pricey enough that they remain optional even in the
premium segment. It’s been more than 20 years since BMW fitted the first HID
headlights to the E32 7-series and the 1996 Lincoln Mark VIII became the first
American car with HIDs, yet halogen bulbs are so inexpensive and effective that
mainstream automakers can’t fully abandon them. About 80 percent of the market
relies on these little pressurized tungsten-filament bulbs. Their retail cost ranges
from $10 to $30 per bulb, compared with roughly $100 per HID (and several
hundred or more for LEDs), but they’re not all that inferior, says Osram Sylvania.
Today’s halogen bulbs are manufactured under extremely tight tolerances. Cameras
at each station in Osram Sylvania’s plant automatically toss out defective product
that 15 years ago would have been shipped, we’re told. The top-line bulbs are even
filled with xenon gas and coated in blue tint to mimic HIDs, although their
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shortened functional life restricts them to the aftermarket. Since halogen bulbs have
standardized plastic sockets and run straight off the car’s battery—instead of
requiring an AC inverter for an HID setup—they’re easy to replace. Eventually,
they’ll be as antique as acetylene lamps, just not yet.

2. LED

Within four years, Osram Sylvania predicts that LED headlamps will be
installed in 20 percent of all new cars. The Toyota Corolla and Ford Explorer
come with standard LED low-beams, and as fuel-efficiency regulations tighten,
LED headlights will play a key role in reducing energy consumption. Indeed,
they each draw between 15 and 18 watts of power, versus 55 to 65 watts from a
halogen and 42 watts from an HID. Their response from off to full strength—
known as “rise time”—is just one millisecond. An incandescent bulb is 250
times slower, which makes LEDs especially advantageous for brake lights.
There’s no question that LED headlights are brighter (3000 lumens at low beam
versus 800 lumens for halogen, although this varies depending on the optical
system used) and output light at a color temperature closer to daylight (5500
Kelvin versus 4500 for HID and 2500–3000 for halogen). But the biggest
drawback, now and in the future, is high production cost. Automakers investing
in LEDs are eschewing standardized fitments. On the Explorer, for example, the
LED headlight is actually side-mounted and reflected forward as opposed to the
projector-style LEDs in a Toyota Prius. Audi and Acura line up individual
LEDs like polished gemstones, Lexus stacks them into a triangle on the RC F,
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and the Ford F-150 exposes LEDs in a style reminiscent of thick ice cube
blocks. Every LED headlight requires custom-printed circuit boards with more
than 130 components, custom aluminum heat sinks, custom reflectors, and a
custom resolution (the number of LEDs per unit)—and that’s before they’re
mounted into a finished, custom headlight assembly. Since automakers refresh
or overhaul their models every three to six years, lighting manufacturers can’t
bear the expense of retooling large-scale assembly lines for what ultimately are
proprietary, low-volume products. Human hands in static- and humidity-
controlled clean rooms control a significant portion of the LED manufacturing
process, from the first wiring connectors to the final screw mounts, which
further limits production capacity and increases per-unit cost. For example,
Osram Sylvania cranks out more than 100 million halogen bulbs a year, 24
hours a day. It can only make 130,000 LED headlights for the F-150. If LEDs
are to be commodities, automakers must standardize more of these lighting
components.

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3. LED Matrix

LED matrix headlights that can actively shade and illuminate sections of the
roadway are currently illegal in the U.S. Osram Sylvania expects NHTSA to
approve the technology next year, although the agency has not issued a formal
public proposal as part of the rulemaking process, which may delay the rollout.
We won’t bet on a timeframe, but better matrix headlights are already on the
way. Cars like the next Audi A8 will have 1024 individual LED pixels on a
single chip, as compared to five on the current Euro-spec car. When coupled
with smarter software and more sensitive infrared cameras, these high-definition
headlights will be able to activate specific LEDs to illuminate pedestrians while
blacking out their faces or brighten speed limit signs without flooding
someone’s living room. Like an LED TV, higher pixel counts will improve a
headlight’s sharpness and clarity, but only so far.

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 4. LASER

Laser headlights may be that next step, if the U.S.-market safety and regulation
issues can be sorted in a reasonable amount of time. The BMW i8 uses three Osram
Sylvania laser diodes that beam blue light through a ceramic phosphor platelet,
converting the beams to a single white “point source” able to project a wide span of
light up to 1969 feet. That’s 10 times the luminance (the number of candelas per
square meter, or essentially, how a bright a surface looks at a given angle to the
human eye) than an LED headlight. So far, BMW is using lasers for the high
beams, and the next-gen lights will use just one laser diode at one-third the price.
With laser headlights, smaller apertures allow designers more flexibility and
engineers the capability to modify the beam as a spotlight, such as to illuminate
pedestrians (BMW also uses this technology overseas, called Dynamic Light Spot,
on non-laser fog lamps). In the future, the best headlights may use a combination of
laser and LED matrix technology. But longstanding regulations—and the high cost
of supporting bespoke headlight designs—will continue to keep most of us in a
relatively darker place.

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 FUTURE OF LED LIGHTING IN AUTOMOTIVES

Many vehicle drivers are always upset by the insufficient light from their
headlights or taillights, which will provide poor visibility on the road, making the
driving more dangerous. Especially at night, the strong glare from the other
vehicles coming from the opposite direction will make the drivers feel nervous and
difficult to see the road ahead. Accidents often occur in this case because the
drivers have some difficulty to judge the distance and see clearly the vehicles
ahead. However, with LED lighting being used for automotive application, the
safety on the road has greatly increased as the road ahead gets well lit by LED
headlights and the drivers feel eased when driving at night.
LED lights have been produced for commercial lighting and industry lighting for a
long time ago, but LED lighting for vehicle was first introduced in 2003. With the
increasing LED technology and improving performance of LED lights, many
customers begin to buy LED lights for vehicle over fluorescent lights and halogen
lights. What’s more, many manufacturers realized that there will be a huge
potential LED lights market for automotive lighting applications and have started
producing the kind of lights.
Compared with all other types of automotive lights, LED lights have some very
distinct advantages. Their features of longer lifespan, great performance, lower
power consumption, high light output and lower heat dissipation make them
become the perfect solution of automotive lighting. Slowly but steadily, LED
technology will be applied on rear combination lamps, brake lights, turn signals,
interior reading lights, daytime running lamps, fog lights, position and market
lamps, etc. Over the year, LED lights are now being used for many vehicles, such
as off-road vehicle, 4*4 vehicles, military and trucks. In the future, LED lights will
be produced to be more suitable for different types of vehicles, such as bicycles,
trains and emergency vehicles.
Cars manufacturers are selecting LED lighting over other types of lights due to
their ease of assembly, reliability, longevity, and competitive price. They believe
that LED lights will have a bright future for automotive lighting applications
because they have more advantages than conventional lights. LED lighting is
adaptive to different environmental and traffic-related requirements, the dynamic
bending of light or adaptive front lighting systems will help the driver see the
obstacles on the road clearly. Many lamps have a defect that the lights will move
together with the cars, but LED lights are resistant to vibration generated by a
moving vehicle. They react very quickly to be full light intensity, but standard
incandescent car lights usually take a lot of time to get switched on. The most
attractive feature is that car maker can have an innovative design of LED lighting
and design a unique LED light depending on the vehicle models.
With the rapidly-developing lighting technologies and the introduction of new
technologies, LED lighting manufacturers will produce even better comfort and

32
homogenous light and more types of LED lights to meet a wide variety of vehicles.
LED lights will have a bright future for automotive lighting application.

ONE MORE PERSPECTIVE

Vehicle drivers generally complain about poor visibility on the road, particularly
at night, when it becomes difficult to judge the distance and see other vehicles
coming from the opposite direction. It is common that the strong glare from the
headlights of cars coming from the opposite direction, blind the drivers. It is also a
fact that about 40% of fatal accidents occur during the night. However, with LED
lighting being used for automotive applications, the strain of the vehicle drivers
have eased and safety on the road has greatly increased as the road ahead gets well
lit by LED car headlights.
Over the years, LEDs for automotive lighting applications are constantly
evolving. They have a very bright future in the automotive market with the LED
modules improving significantly and with the introduction of new technologies
like organic LEDs (OLEDs), which produce even better comfort and homogenous
light.
LEDS replacing all other types of lamps
LED-based automotive lighting was first introduced in 2003. The first LED rear
lights and headlamps were introduced in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Over the
years, not only the performance of the automotive LED lights has improved, but
many manufacturers have also started producing these lights realizing a huge
potential market ahead.
Today, LED lighting solutions are being used by all major car manufacturers, and
it is being seen as the future lighting for automotive applications. LED lights are
now being used for top cars like Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz S series and also in
a few mid-range cars.
Slowly but steadily, LED light sources are replacing all other types of automotive
lights. They are available for high and low beam headlamps, rear combination
lamps, brake lights, turn signals, interior reading lights (map lights), daytime
running lamps (DRLs), dome lights, fog lamps, accent lights, center high-mount
stop lamps, position and marker lamps, etc. They are also replacing other
conventional lights for ambient lighting, dashboard and cabin, etc.
In fact, the market for LED lighting for vehicles is increasing as the consumers
have recognized their benefits, including the fact that the colour of LEDs is very
similar to daylight. Besides the fact that it enhances safety and comfort on the road,
LED lights offer many other advantages.
Car manufacturers are selecting LED lighting over other types of lamps due to their
ease of assembly, reliability, longevity, and competitive price. Besides these, LEDs
also offer other key advantages that make them a good fit for automotive
applications. These advantages include:

33
LED lighting is adaptable to road-related requirements: LED lighting solutions
are adaptive to different environmental and traffic-related requirements like
dynamically controllable light distribution patterns, dynamic bending of light or
adaptive front lighting systems. The adaptive feature of LEDs allows to avoid
blinding other drivers when coming from the opposite direction. It also helps to see
better the fixed or moving obstacles on the road or on the sides. They can also be
dimmed.
Longer lifespan than the vehicle it is fitted to: Automotive LED lighting has
much longer lifespan and use less energy than lamps with filaments or discharge.
Less energy for lighting also translates into lower fuel consumption and lower
emissions. Properly thermally managed LEDs have a lifespan of 50,000 to 75,000
hours? Much longer than the vehicle to which they are fitted.
Philips has launched Philips Vision LED, which is a replacement for exterior and
interior vehicle lighting, and comes with 12-year warranty. According to the
company, it is the first to market these automotive LED lights with street-legal
exterior LEDs. Vision LED has advanced design and provides well-focused beam
on the street. It is quite robust to undergo high vibrations and extreme heat.
Allows design flexibility to car makers: The design flexibility offered by LEDs is
a boon for the car manufacturers. With LEDs, car designers can come up with
innovative designs?for instance, they can use LEDs to accentuate or attenuate
certain shapes and give the cars a unique design using LED lighting.
Resistant to vibration: LEDs are resistant to vibration generated by a moving
vehicle, and generate less radiated heat than incandescent bulbs. They reach full
intensity faster than other conventional lamps, for example, brake lights can lit up
instantly, which increases safety. For example, Philips Vision LED can turn on
immediately, which ensures safety for the drivers and helps them to react faster if a
car comes from the front. Standard incandescent car bulbs usually take a lot of time
to get switched on. This also means that when you put the brake, the car behind
you will be able to react instantly.
Luminance increasing: While LED lighting technology for automotive
applications is evolving, LED manufacturers are coming up with new technologies,
improving the efficiency and performance of the LED automotive lamps. For
example, Osram has developed a bright LED for vehicle headlights, which has
achieved an output of 1400 lm and 200 Mcd/m². Osram car headlights have a
luminance three times more than its existing versions. Now, a single LED can
provide a complete low beam; earlier, several LED chips were needed in the past
depending on the type of LEDs used. A combination of UX:3 chip technology,
ceramic conversion technology and high-current technology used in projection
applications make the LEDs so bright. In future it will be possible to design even
smaller headlights, claims the company.
International standards for automotive lighting
According to international standards, vehicle lights, a vital part of road safety,
need to comply with different standards in terms of performance, durability, color

34
and interchangeability. With the introduction of new types of LED-based lights for
vehicles, standards that regulate lighting requirements also underwent changes. As
todays LED lights represent a new concept, they also require new standards.
The international body UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) makes
regulations for road vehicles through its World Forum for Harmonization of
Vehicle Regulations. UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-
Signalling, a subsidiary body, makes the regulatory proposals for vehicle lighting
and light signaling for road safety.
IEC Subcommittee makes standards for all types of auto lamps including LED,
for general lighting as well as for road vehicles. These standards identify the
electrical, dimensional and luminous requirements as well as their performance.
LED lamps for vehicles should also comply with IEC 60809 International
Standard that identifies the dimensional, electrical, and luminous requirements of
LED lamps for vehicles. This standard also defines the bulbs, markings,
dimensions, colours, caps, and bases.
LED lights that use modules are not covered by IEC 60809 but they are covered by
IEC standards that are specific to LED modules. International Standard IEC
60810 which sets out the performance requirements of lamps for vehicles.

The Future of Automotive Lighting is Bright

Indeed, almost every automaker has some sort of signature lighting element,
whether it’s BMW’s angel eyes, Lexus’ use of LED daytime-running lamps or the
Dodge brand’s bold “racetrack” tail-light assemblies. However, aside from
vehicular styling, there’s so much more going on in this field than most drivers
would ever expect.

Highlighting the latest advancements in automotive illumination, global supplier

Osram showcased some of its newest products, shedding light on this often
overlooked space.

LEDing the Way

From acetylene-burning lanterns to old-school sealed-beams bulbs, from halogen

lamps to high-intensity discharge assemblies, automotive lighting technology has

35
come a long way over the last hundred years. And it continues to advance in the
21st century, particularly as light-emitting diodes(LEDs) become more affordable.

Sam Cribari, product marketing manager for automotive exterior LED at Osram
said one of its main goals is “bringing cost-effective LED lighting to the mass
market.” He added that they’ve been focused on making these systems more
affordable at the light-emitter level, which is the most basic component.

LEDs have numerous benefits compared to more traditional lighting solutions,

such as halogen. Some of these upsides include massive power savings, greater
design freedom and better overall efficiency. However, cost is still an issue, as
LED lighting systems require additional components.

The Differences are Clear

To plainly show the differences between its various lighting technologies Osram
had several demonstrator vehicles on hand. A 2016 Ford Explorer was equipped
with LED low-beam lights and halogen highs. A new Ford F-150 featured an all-
LED array while a European-spec Audi A7 exhibited the company’s most
advanced lighting technology.

The updated Explorer is the first vehicle in its segment to benefit from LED
forward lighting technology. In practice, this SUV illuminates the way with pure,
clean light that’s homogenous, meaning it’s free from any streaking or discolored
patches that could cause driver distraction.

As for its high-beams, the 2016 Explorer relies on halogen bulbs. They provide a
lot of light but look less natural than the LEDs, with a yellow tinge to them.

Stepping up, the technology available in Ford’s new F-150 provides full LED
lighting. Each of the truck’s lamps contains two arrays containing four individual
LEDs. One of these assemblies handles low beams and the other high.

This arrangement imbues the pickup with clear, powerful, well-controlled light.
Additionally, the color temperature is also quite high, meaning it has a very pure,
whitish appearance, much like daylight.

Finally, the European-spec Audi A7 Osram had on hand was equipped with the
company’s adaptive matrix LED headlamps, the pinnacle of automotive lighting
technology today. This is arguably the most impressive automotive lighting system
on the market today.

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Rather than having traditional low- and high-beams, this Audi is equipped with an
array of 25 separate LEDs per headlamp. With so many light sources, engineers
were able to make them do some pretty remarkable things.

With a forward-facing camera, the car can scan the road ahead, keeping an eye out
for oncoming traffic, vehicles driving ahead of you and even road signs.
Remarkably, as this system detects targets like these it can power down individual
LEDs, dimming just that portion of light field. It’s remarkable to see in action.

If another car approaches one of these Audi A7s, the headlamps can dip their lights
to avoid blinding the other driver. If you get too close to the vehicle you’re
following, it adjusts the light pattern to keep you from getting dazzled by reflected
light from your own headlamps.

But even more impressive than all of this is this system’s ability to detect street
signs. The LEDs are granular enough to dim the light being shone on a speed-limit
marker so the reflective paint doesn’t blind you. Just the small portion of the light
field corresponding to the sign gets dimmed while the rest remains at full power.
This is perhaps the most impressive aspect of these adaptive matrix LED
headlights.

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Regrettably, this system is forbidden fruit in America right now; it’s not approved
for use by NHTSA. However, this may change in the coming years.

Curiously, European vehicles are allowed to have high beams that are a whopping
three times more powerful than what we can in North America. The Audi A7’s
lamps glow with the light of a second sun, delivering 225,000 retina-searing
candelas.

Not surprisingly, the future of automotive lighting is bright

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 BIBLOGRAPHY
http://www.ledsmagazine.com/articles/2005/01/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-
leds.html

http://www.hella.com/hella-in/en/index.html

http://electronicsb2b.efytimes.com/headlines/automotive-led-lights-innovative-
lighting-vehicle/

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/article/automotive-lighting-market.asp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hella_(company)

http://blog.caranddriver.com/out-of-the-dark-the-future-of-automotive-headlights/

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/10/the-future-of-automotive-lighting-is-
bright.html

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