BMW M4 Concept Showcases OLED, Laser Lighting at CES

BMW is previewing how the laser headlight technology it uses on the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car would look on more mainstream products in its lineup.

On display at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the BMW M4 Concept Iconic Lights concept featuring laser lighting and OLED-based “BMW Organic Light.” BMW’s laser headlights were first offered on the i8 in June, 2014≤ and it appears that the company is considering adding it to other models in its lineup. According to BMW, the laser lights can cast a beam of up to 2,000 feet at speeds up to 43.5 MPH. The technology is automatically activated on top of the broader-dispersion LED main beam.

2015 Consumer Electronics Show Coverage

The concept also shows off new innovations and technology that will help make drivers safer on the road. For example, the laser lighting not only provides optimal vision without interfering with other vehicles’ vision, but extensive integration between the headlights, camera, sensors and navigation systems result in new, proactive light functions. One of those functions pairs the navigation system with the laser lighting so that the headlights can illuminate corners in advance. In addition, the Dynamic Light Spot with laser technology can also detect people or animals on the road or at the roadside, flashing alerts to the driver.

BMW is also previewing OLED-based BMW Organic Light and in the case of the M4 Concept Iconic Lights, the rear light clusters have been developed to not only include OLED tail lights but also OLED direction indicators. Since the OLEDs can be activated individually, new possibilities for using different styles of lighting at different times can be a reality. BMW also announced that rear light clusters with BMW Organic Light will be making their production debut on a future vehicle within the next 15 months.