ZKW is working with Newsight Imaging to develop adaptive high beams – including for retrofitting.
New technology integrates light sensor and controls directly into the front lighting.
ZKW says the partnership into which it entered with Israeli start-up, Newsight Imaging in 2019, is already achieving results.
Newsight Imaging won ZKW’s ‘Drive Light Sight’ competition in 2019. Now, a new prototype for a glare-free high beam has been developed as an initial result of the cooperation; the high beam can be integrated directly into the headlamp with its associated sensors and controller.
This eliminates the need for a separate front camera. The project, which is currently known as ‘senseZ,’ could be ready for series production soon and be manufactured by ZKW.
“The autonomous high beam system can be added to or used to retrofit older vehicle models that do not have a front camera or an infrastructure designed for ADB,” said ZKW Group CEO, Oliver Schubert.
“However, the innovation can also be used to upgrade existing adaptive high beam technology with a higher resolution.”
The new system consists of an integrated module for glare-free high beams which is installed in the headlamp. The control signals for the adaptive light are delivered by a light-sensitive sensor that is also integrated into the senseZ unit.
This allows for vehicle-independent control of the high beam, which automatically hides other road users at night. ZKW maintains the innovation is also easy to integrate into the vehicle architecture without many additional steps, because neither the vehicle electronics nor camera data from the vehicle itself are required. An initial prototype in a test vehicle will now be used to optimise the unit’s function.
“Because the system is primarily independent from the vehicle architecture, it offers a simple way to access high-quality light technology,” added ZKW head of Innovation, Hannes Scheer.
“Now, we are taking the next step together through further development and joint commercialisation.”