BMW i8 Will Include Laser Headlights

BMW wants to strengthen the lead they have in the light technology area by introducing laser headlights.

BMW is targeting the premium segment, and what is a better way than coming up with a replacement for the already-boring LEDs? They already have a number of impressive technologies like “Dynamic Light Spot” (a very useful system that automatically highlights pedestrians), “Anti-dazzle High-Beam Assistant” (a technology that monitors the road for up to 1 km by using a light-seeking camera placed in the rear view mirror housing) and Adaptive Headlights.

The new technology is “the next logical step in car light development” and will be available “for series production within a few years in the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid” says BMW.

Important things to know about laser headlights
– Laser light produces parallel light beams, also the light waves have the same length
– Laser headlights are more powerful and more efficient than LEDs, they reduce fuel consumption
– Laser headlights are not a threat to human eye and they won’t blind you as much as LEDs

Price
Although there are no official numbers, laser headlights will probably have a price tag around $1500 minimum. Lasers currently on the market that hit around a watt are in the hundreds of dollars range. Note that these are green/red lasers, blue is a relatively new tech and the price for a laser hitting tens or hundreds of watts is very likely to be 5-7 times more expensive, even in mass produced versions!

Source: BMW