Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Gadgets, Trends
Ford to brighten corners with new lighting system
Headlamps that pivot to see around corners are
nothing new—they’ve been lurking on the fringes of mainstream autodome, with cars like the Tucker Torpedo
and Citroen DS. After a long dormant period in the industry, adaptive illumination seem to be gaining currency
again—Lexus and BMW have recently introduced new systems, and Ford is on the cusp of showing their own take on
‘smart’ lighting.
Ford will unveil an electronic system on a Lincoln concept at the North American International Auto Show next month. In the main, the Blue Oval system differs from its foreign competitors by not having moving parts. The speed and steering-dependent system employs a cluster of side-firing LEDs instead of a more traditional swiveling lens. Potential advantages include fewer moving parts (less mechanical wear), more compact housings, and ease of manufacturing and repair.
The system could be ferreting out roadside deer for Ford customers in as little as 36 months.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mal Fuller 9:46PM (12/27/2005)
Once upon a time these "fixed" lights were known around FOMOCO as cornering lights. The only thing new is the use of LEDs instead of conventional automotive lamps.
Reply
Shifty 10:38PM (12/27/2005)
#1, true, but normally cornering lights only come on when the turn signal is on, whare as these would light from just the turn of the wheel. i wonder if there is a few leds in a row so it still gives the turning lens effect, instead of just a side light turning on and off.
but your right, its really nothing that new, but is does make you say "why didnt anyone do this 5 years ago?"
Reply
MadeinDetroit 11:00PM (12/27/2005)
What I find interesting is the use of LED's in a lighting application other than tail light duty. Many are touting LED's as a revolution in vehicle illumination and will alter the front fascia of vehicle design and this seems to be one of their first entrances onto that stage.
Reply
JM 1:53AM (12/28/2005)
Note that these led's won't be anywhere near as bright as an angled halogen bulb. The brightest most state of the art led puts out 120 lumens vs. a 65w halogen putting out 1700-2500 lumens. Additionally the led has to run at such a high current must be attached to a large heatsink which precludes multiple led's in a small package and noticible shorter life due to phosphor degradation from heat. These might be useful as cornering lamps but led's as headlights have a long, long way to go before they become a practicle reality.
Reply
el-indiano 2:53AM (12/28/2005)
your dead to me Ford, who cars what you do to the lighting design of the Ford Tauras, Focus, 500 or anything you idiots create. Japan and Europe own you so respect to your masters, bitch!
Reply
el-indiano 3:03AM (12/28/2005)
Ford and Gm have had the last 10 years to create 1 car that can compete with Europe and/or Japan. You have lost and i hope and pray the us gov will no bail your asses out. Bad Management poor craftmasship has killed what could have been a great automotive industry in the states. The only way you can sell cars is by deep discounts and big cash back bonuses...Your going under and its your fault!
Reply
el-indiano 3:11AM (12/28/2005)
you guys should just start only making cars for Hertz and Enterprise...why even sell cars to the general public....the only people that buy your cars are people that cannot afford a real car or people that dont know any better!
Reply
el-indiano 3:16AM (12/28/2005)
The corvette is excluded from my ranting....its a great car, the interior could be nicer but for the amount of hp you get for the price its a bargin! is a supercar in a sports car intry level price bracket.
Reply
Yaroukh 7:06AM (12/28/2005)
#8: it doesn't matter what's excluded from your ranting as no1 gives a **** about it
Reply
Abraham 8:35AM (12/28/2005)
#9, Obviously you do give a **** about it, otherwise, why reply?
Reply
Kevin Buchanan 10:13AM (12/28/2005)
Re: #3 - Check out the Audi LeMans concept from a little while back, the one that's going into production as the R8 supercar. It featured LED headlamps.
Reply
Yaroukh 11:14AM (12/28/2005)
#10: You're obviously wrong. Or do you really think that pointing on subject's insignificance makes the subject significant? 8) No, I don't believe you really do.
Reply
Yaroukh 11:17AM (12/28/2005)
#11: And have been LED's on the final product confirmed? (Even the new Focus concept had LED's.)
Reply
lastride147 12:17PM (12/28/2005)
You know, I really do love to be able to come on Autoblog and discuss automotive issues with fellow car nuts. But I really am starting to get sick of all the dumb*ss flamers on this site. I know you can't have any kind of internet forum without them these days, but still.....ENOUGH. I've noticed that I can't read topic comments about any of the American manufacturers anymore without some Euro/Japanese afficionado-flamer coming in and posting something as "intelligent" as "Ford sucks"..."GM is garbage"....or "Detroit needs to fold up tents cuz Toyota RULZ!!" Do us who actually care about these topics a favor: pack up your 8th grade mentality and go comment on the Toyota, Nissan, and Honda sites. Really. No one who actually wants to discuss smart headlites gives two sh*ts about your flaming....except me, cuz I am annoyed with it and you really shouldn't make comments unless they are intelligent and relevant. So go away.
Reply
used cars 1:20PM (12/28/2005)
Did I read that Ford is talking about bringing this innovation to market in 36 months? For a company that says it wants to get urgent about business of American innovation, it sounds like s-l-o-w- m-o-t-i-o-n to me.
Good luck Ford. I hope you still have a car to attatch these headlamps to in 36 months!
Reply
Shifty 1:37PM (12/28/2005)
thanks for the random 4 pointless bashing posts el-indiano, that really takes the autoblog intelligence level up a knotch.
#4, i dont know whare you read your info in leds, but they use much less current then normal halogen bulbs, normally about 3milliamps, compared to 4.5Amps for a halogen at 55W @ 12volts. They run MUCH cooler then normal lights, just find a led flashlight and leave it on alongside of a normal light, and tell me what one burns your finger. they also last much much longer then halogen bulbs. i know they are usually a little weaker light outputwise compared to halogens, thats why they usually group a few together.
Reply
Roger Conlon 4:42PM (12/28/2005)
I think that need heated lens for any of the head light it keep them clean in bad weather when they on.the old seal beams stayed clear in snow and rain the new system are not hot enough.
Reply
Matt Morgan 9:42PM (12/29/2005)
I think ford just made something else to go wrong in a car. Ford couldn't even get firestone tires right on explorers that didn't blow when you drive. I think they need to stick to the basics! Ford needs to learn to make power, better gas mileage, and realiable in their vehicles before they design other "gadgets". Ford is boring, cheap and simple, and that's why everyone likes them.
Reply
G. Stewart 11:15PM (12/29/2005)
Hey you people: Take a look at the brand new FUSION, which replaces the taurus...........Great lighting, Snappy power - classy look and price is right. Stop downgrading Ford Motor Company - U.S.A. does have a bright new vehicle out there for 2006 and I for one think they did a great job and we should all check things out before making statements that are insulting and reflect a less than honorable mentality for others to read. Support America and those who are doing a good job.
Reply
John T. Ertz 11:45PM (12/29/2005)
"el-indiano" you really should do a little more research about Japanese and American product before making a blanket statement about domestic quality issues.
I worked for Nissan and Infiniti from 1991 to 2003, and they almost went under due to exceptionally poor product-remember the van buyback? It took new management from the partnership with Renault to bring them back to respectability. Their CEO is French. Hmmm...
By the way, have you driven any Japanese product from the late 80's to early 90's with JECS injectors? How many did you need to replace over and over again? Our dealerships parts systems made fortunes selling the same injectors many times over.
How about any current Japanese/Asian models that the A/C condensors disintegrate in any state that uses salt on the roads. How about Honda's fuel filler necks rusting thru and clogging the entire fuel systems?
Simply put, I could go on and on about defects from ALL manufacturers-not just Asian, European or American. EVERY manufacturer has quality problems, the perception that the Japanese have better product is because of the dealer network that finds, solves and eliminates a greater majority of the issues before the customer gets the vehicle. I have owned Hondas, Suzukis, Nissans, Infinitis, Fords, Chevys, Toyotas and the ONLY one that I did not have any problems with was a Ford Ranger.
Yes, thirty six months may seem like a long time to create this system, but this is actually a short development time for any manufacturer when making an all new model. Yes, it could be slapped onto any current vehicle faster, but it still must meet certain guidlines for illumination, safety, beam patterns, glare issues so there is still significant time necessary to bring this to market.
Have a great day!
Reply