World premiere in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: DIGITAL LIGHT: the light of the future hits the road

Mar 5, 2018
Stuttgart/Geneva

koert.groeneveld@mercedes-benz.com

Stuttgart/Geneva. The future of car light should start soon for selected Mercedes-Maybach customers: the revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with virtually dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels should be entering small series production in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. DIGITAL LIGHT is celebrating its world premiere in the updated top model from Mercedes-Maybach at the Geneva Motor Show. Selected fleet customers are expected to take delivery of the first vehicles equipped with it in the first half of 2018.

”With a resolution of over one million pixels per headlamp, DIGITAL LIGHT not only creates ideal light conditions for every driving situation; it also extends the visual support from our driving assistance systems”, says Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

The revolutionary DIGITAL LIGHT headlamp technology with outstanding performance facilitates pioneering driving assistance and communication with the driver and can create the ideal light conditions in every driving situation. DIGITAL LIGHT offers even higher precision than the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, minimising the risk of other road users being dazzled. DIGITAL LIGHT delivers an important contribution towards improving safety in road traffic - as an integral part of the overall INTELLIGENT DRIVE strategy.

In the new HD-quality headlamp there is a chip at work with over a million micro-reflectors, i.e. a total of over two million per vehicle. Cameras and sensor systems in the vehicle detect other road users, powerful computers evaluate the data plus digital navigation maps in milliseconds and give the headlamps the commands for best possible adaption of the light distribution in all situations.

High Definition headlamps with innovative features[1]

With the innovative software-controlled DIGITAL LIGHT technology symbols can also be projected onto the road in HD quality. This not only gives the driver information directly in their field of vision: in a second step it could also make communication with the surroundings possible.

An overview of the DIGITAL LIGHT functions:

Guide lines

When driving through a construction site, two trails of light corresponding to the entire width of the car are projected onto the driver's own lane. These guide lines help the driver with orientation.

Extended pedestrian mark

If a pedestrian is detected in the danger zone near the road, an arrow pointing towards them appears on the road surface. This is in addition to the mark already made by the Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

 

Distance mark


This function supports the driver in setting the standard proximity appropriate for certain situations. When the driver activates the DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control or changes the standard proximity, an appropriate proximity mark appears on the road.

The car with DIGITAL LIGHT technology can also warn the driver about certain dangers and give relevant information on the road. For example if the car is in danger of leaving its lane and entering the oncoming traffic, a lane-keeping symbol is projected onto the road.

The following symbols are available as small series production starts:

  • Low-grip surface symbol 
  • Construction-site symbol
  • Rear-end collision symbol
  • Lane-keeping symbol
  • Blind-spot symbol
  • Speed symbol.

[1] New technologies must always comply with the applicable legal framework conditions of the country of commercialisation and must therefore be adapted to them. The capability for approval is currently being reviewed.

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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT uses camera and sensors systems of the vehicle to identify other road users and ideally adapt the light distribution to the environment. In this process, drivers and front passengers of oncoming vehicles are shielded from the light beam and not dazzled. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT uses camera and sensors systems of the vehicle to identify other road users and ideally adapt the light distribution to the environment. In this process, drivers and front passengers of oncoming vehicles are shielded from the light beam and not dazzled. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels provides the ideal light distribution in all driving conditions and also supports the driver in critical situations. Approaching a road construction zone, for example, a construction warning symbol is projected onto the road surface to alert the driver. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels provides the ideal light distribution in all driving conditions and also supports the driver in critical situations. In narrow road construction lanes, for example, a light beam directly guides the driver using a rail lighting. To do this, a line of light is projected onto the road surface which shows the vehicle width and guides the driver safely through the construction zone.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT uses camera and sensors systems of the vehicle to identify other road users and ideally adapt the light distribution to the environment. In this process, the heads of oncoming road users like pedestrians can be shielded from the light beam to reliably prevent dazzling them. Active above 55 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT uses camera and sensors systems of the vehicle to identify other road users and ideally adapt the light distribution to the environment. In this process, the heads of oncoming road users like pedestrians can be shielded from the light beam to reliably prevent dazzling them. Active above 55 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels provides the ideal light distribution in all driving conditions and also supports the driver in critical situations. In narrow road construction lanes, for example, a light beam directly guides the driver using a rail lighting. To do this, two lines of light are projected onto the road surface which show the vehicle width and guide the driver safely through the construction zone. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels facilitates pioneering driving assistance. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. If a pedestrian is detected in the danger zone near the road, an arrow pointing towards them appears on the road surface. This is in addition to the mark already made by the Spotlight function of the NIGHTVIEW ASSIST PLUS. Active above 55 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels facilitates pioneering driving assistance. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. If Traffic Sign Assist detects that the speed is above a preset speed above the allowed maximum, a speed warning symbol is projected.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels facilitates pioneering driving assistance. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. If outside temperature drops below 5°C, a low grip warning symbol is projected. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels facilitates pioneering driving assistance. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When a turn indicator is actuated and Blind Spot Assist detects another car and warns the driver, a blind spot symbol is projected as a warning. If Lane Keeping Assist detects that the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of its lane, for example into oncoming traffic, a lane keeping symbol is projected as a warning. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels facilitates pioneering driving assistance. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When a turn indicator is actuated and Blind Spot Assist detects another car and warns the driver, a blind spot symbol is projected as a warning. If Lane Keeping Assist detects that the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of its lane, for example into oncoming traffic, a lane keeping symbol is projected as a warning. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels facilitates pioneering driving assistance. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. If distance control detects that the distance to the vehicle in front drops below the safety threshold, a rear end collision warning symbol is projected. Active above 30 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels facilitates pioneering driving assistance. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. If the distance control is activated or its distance setting is changed, a distance warning symbol showing the target distance is projected. Active above 20 kph.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels represents highest precision, optimal view for the driver almost without dazzling effect as well as performance, driver assistance and communication.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels represents highest precision, optimal view for the driver almost without dazzling effect as well as performance, driver assistance and communication.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels represents highest precision, optimal view for the driver almost without dazzling effect as well as performance, driver assistance and communication.
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Mercedes- Benz DIGITAL LIGHT: The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT with almost dazzle-free main beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels represents highest precision, optimal view for the driver almost without dazzling effect as well as performance, driver assistance and communication.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When driving through roadworks, a roadworks warning symbol and two light traces are projected onto the vehicle's lane. These guidelines represent the overall width of the vehicle, and help the driver to maintain his bearings. Active at speeds above 30 km/h.
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With over 1 million pixels per headlamp, DIGITAL LIGHT can create the ideal light conditions in every driving situation. The onboard camera and sensor systems detect other road users. Powerful computers evaluate the data and give the headlamps instructions to distribute the light to best effect in all situations. To avoid dazzle as far as possible, the light is dimmed when oncoming traffic, vehicles ahead, other road users and traffic signs are detected. Thanks to the high resolution of over 1 million pixels, DIGITAL LIGHT enables the shaded area to be made considerably smaller, with more light shed on the road. Active at speeds above 30 km/h.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When Traffic Sign Assist detects that the current vehicle speed exceeds the current speed limit by the preset amount, a speed limit warning symbol is projected.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. If a pedestrian is detected in the danger zone near the road, an arrow pointing towards them appears on the road surface. This happens in addition to the highlighting already carried out by the Spotlight function of NIGHTVIEW ASSIST PLUS erfolgt. Active at speeds above 55 km/h.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When the indicators are operated and Blind Spot Assist detects another vehicle and warns the driver, a blind spot symbol is projected as a warning. Active at speeds above 30 km/h.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When Lane Keeping Assist recognises that the vehicle has left its lane unintentionally and a collision with oncoming traffic threatens, a lane-keeping symbol is projected as a warning. Active at speeds above 30 km/h.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When the ambient temperature falls below 5° C, an ice warning symbol is projected. Active at speeds above 30 km/h.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When the distance control system recognises that the distance from the vehicle ahead has fallen below the safety level, a rear-end collision warning symbol is projected. Active at speeds above 30 km/h.
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DIGITAL LIGHT makes trailblazing driving assistance possible. Symbols can be projected onto the road in HD quality. When the distance control is activated or the set distance is changed, a distance warning symbol with the set distance is projected. Active at speeds above 20 km/h.
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