CML Innovative Technologies has developed an innovative interior light for automobiles that also incorporates a removable LED flashlight.
CML's Fabien Noir says that the flashlight uses two standard through-hole 5mm-diameter LEDs, driven at 20-30 mA. "High power LEDs were not suitable due to cost and technical standpoint issue such as heat dissipation and integration with electronics," he says.
CML believes the flashlight will prove popular as it can be used in a variety of situations either inside or outside the car, for example to look for objects under the seat or in a handbag, to change a wheel, or to signal in case of emergency.
Audi wing mirror warning
Many cars have wing mirrors with built-in turn signal indicators, or with puddle lights to illuminate the ground as the driver exits.
As shown in the illustration, the light illuminates when a vehicle is approaching, and flashes when the driver uses the turn signal to indicate a change of lanes in dangerous circumstances.
Lexus focuses on safety
The new LS 460 flagship limousine from Lexus has (among many other features) LED brake, tail and license plate lights, a thin profile-integrated LED high-mount stop lamp, and LED interior lighting with spot-lamp illumination in front and rear.
The system comprises a CCD camera mounted on top of the steering column along with six infrared LEDs. When the car starts up, the system plots the position of the driver's facial features and uses these as a reference to monitor head movements when the driver looks from side to side.
If an object is detected in front of the vehicle while the driver's head is turned, a warning light and buzzer are activated, and the next step is to briefly apply the brakes.
The car also has an Advanced Obstacle Detection System, which uses information gathered from both a millimetre-wave radar system and an infrared detection system. The infrared system has a twin-lens camera located at the top edge of the windscreen, which detects IR radiation reflected from objects up to 25 metres distant. The near-IR radiation is emitted from dedicated units in the car's headlamps.