Halogen, xenon, LED, laser and OLED – in just two decades, lighting technology and lighting design for vehicles have undergone revolutionary change. In addition to functional aspects such as enhancing visibility in traffic, headlights nowadays also have an emotional component. Lighting design can give a vehicle, like people, a face with its own expression and individual personality. This development will significantly influence the work of Volkswagen designers in the coming years.
The future will be bright as day, intelligent and human.
While round headlights still characterized the lighting of the Beetle and the first Golf generation, for a long time now the vehicle’s exterior design has determined not just headlight shape, but also the expression of the entire car. Distinctive lighting design is increasingly taking centre stage. “Headlights characterise our perception of a vehicle like no other design element. They attract our gaze, and our initial, automatic instinct is to look a car right in the eyes. They make the car human”, emphasised Klaus Bischoff, Executive Director of Volkswagen Design.
While round headlights still characterized the lighting of the Beetle and the first Golf generation, for a long time now the vehicle’s exterior design has determined not just headlight shape, but also the expression of the entire car. Distinctive lighting design is increasingly taking centre stage. “Headlights characterise our perception of a vehicle like no other design element. They attract our gaze, and our initial, automatic instinct is to look a car right in the eyes. They make the car human”, emphasised Klaus Bischoff, Executive Director of Volkswagen Design.
Through the nature of light, the car of the future is to become even more “human”. For in the next generation, a vehicle’s lights will serve not only to increase safety, but also as a means of communication and interaction.
A new dimension: the extraterior
In the near future, the design of interior and exterior will be joined by a new concept: the extraterior. This can be understood as the design of the surroundings – and is a process that breathes new life into the vehicle. What does this look like in practice though? One application is that the car, using its headlights, can “speak” with its environment. The new I.D. VIZZION1, for example, can confidently “wink” via light signal at its owner, when they approach the vehicle.
A further effect: Especially in a complex, noise-intensive traffic environment, light is the optimal means of communication. The headlights take over the task of maintaining eye contact with other road users. Where does the car want to go? Has it noticed the pedestrian, and will it remain stopped? This naturally increases safety.
Lighting elements can also clearly indicate whether the car is in autonomous driving mode, or if it is starting up and pulling away. Furthermore, owners can tell just from a light signal whether the vehicle is still charging, or is ready for travel again.
SOURCE: Volkswagen
