Besides its visual appeal and customizability, this technology promises to help self-driving cars communicate with pedestrians.
But what is Breakthrough Lighting, and how does it work?
What Is Breakthrough Lighting?
Image Credit:Magna
Breakthrough Lighting allows lights to seemingly magically appear on a dark surface.
Picture the typical rear directional lights and tail lights in a car.
Numerous vehicles feature dynamic turn signals.
Image Credit:Amazon
Breakthrough Lighting is different in that it allows for far more expression.
How Does Breakthrough Lighting Work?
Breakthrough Lighting relies on what is called a “hidden-until-lit” design.
Image Credit:Jaguar Land Rover
Magna achieves this using a process known as laser ablation.
Placed over a light, these tiny holes allow light to selectively shine through a material.
Here’s an analogy that may help.
you’re free to think of this technology as a programmable Lite-Brite in reverse.
Magna refers to the rear deck as the “Litgate.”
What Does Breakthrough Lighting Look Like?
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Breakthrough Lights offer the potential for beautiful light shows.
The best way to see Breakthrough Lighting is to watch it in action.
Unlike regular tail lights, they may require more extensive replacement and repair.
How much this will cost and how it will be implemented remains to be seen.
Communication
The same technology Magna uses for its Litgate could be applied to other vehicle parts.
Though no one can accurately predict the timing, autonomous vehicles are coming.
This means society must invent and accept a new form of communication.
Autonomous driving requires human-av communication.
For example, pedestrians will want to be sure that an AV has “seen” them.
Breakthrough Lighting could also be used.
A vehicle could display an illuminated message or symbol to let pedestrians know they have been recognized.
Coupled with cameras, the human could also communicate that they are going to cross with a universal gesture.
We’ll have Breakthrough Lighting before that need arises.
When Will Breakthrough Lighting Be Available?
2023 is the target production date per Magna.
The Future Is Breakthrough Lighting
Though beautiful, Breakthrough Lightning will allow for capabilities beyond the aesthetic.
