A New Era of Personalized Automotive Lighting by Mulliner with Animated Paddle Lamps

A New Era of Personalized Automotive Lighting by Mulliner

Bentley Motors has unveiled an innovative advancement in automotive luxury with the introduction of bespoke animated paddle lamps, a first by their Mulliner division. This cutting-edge feature allows owners to customize their vehicle's lighting experience through digital craftsmanship, merging technology with traditional luxury practices.

On November 20, 2025, Bentley announced the evolution of its Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology, which was initially introduced in the Mulliner coachbuilt model, the Batur. This new feature is designed to project a unique, personalized animation from each car door, creating a spectacular welcome experience for passengers.

The core of this technology lies in the integration of 415,800 microscopically small mirrors that are roughly one-fifth the width of a human hair. These mirrors, along with three colored light sources and advanced 8mm² Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD™) technology, enable precise control of light to produce stunning animations. The animation sequences can last up to 11 seconds and are seamlessly looped, elevating the luxury experience further.

Digital craftsmanship stands at the intersection of digital innovation and hand-crafted luxury, paving the way for new experiential values in the realm of high-end automotive design. In the Bentley of the future, light is no longer just a tool for illumination but an integral aspect of the design that shapes the overall experience.

The animation consists of two primary components: an introductory sequence displayed upon opening the door and a continuous loop animation welcoming passengers. Designers have the liberty to incorporate elements from both the interior cabin and exterior design, transforming them into dynamic expressions.

For instance, personalized embroidery motifs can be animated, adding cohesion to the overall theme of the vehicle. These animations can range from simplistic representations, akin to a handwritten signature, to delicate, intricate displays resembling floating feathers, crafted to suit the owner's preferences.

In one of Mulliner's latest collections, noteworthy for its homage to Romania's architectural and cultural landmark, the Athenaeum Concert Hall in Bucharest, intricate animated displays have been utilized. Special animations have been created around embroidered motifs on the headrests and musical elements integrated into the dashboard. The warm light at the center of the animation is accompanied by dancing musical notes, capturing the essence of memorable moments.

Innovative Technology Behind the Animation

The projection system backing this spectacle utilizes a sophisticated setup that channels light from three colored sources through five different lenses and two prisms to the state-of-the-art 8mm² Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD™). The generated light signals are then focused through an additional five lenses, projecting animations onto the ground in sync with the opening and closing of the doors.

The DMD™ chip, composed of 415,800 tiny mirrors, each measuring 16 microns—about one-fifth the width of a human hair—functions as an incredibly compact silicon chip. By controlling the movement of each mirror, the system generates the projected images. The mirrors, made from aluminum, can operate at speeds of several thousand times per second, with each mirror representing one pixel of the animation.

The animation is crafted by precisely controlling the light sculpted from the colored light sources and the previous lens arrays, shining it upon the activated mirrors. In contrast, the inactive mirrors reflect the light towards a heat sink inside the projector, absorbing it. This meticulous approach to creating personalized animations signifies a significant bridge between digital innovation and handcrafted luxury, setting a new benchmark in the automotive industry.

A Look Towards Future Craftsmanship

As Bentley designers gaze into the future, they strive to create increasingly sophisticated experiences through digital craftsmanship. This pursuit continues to evolve the values of luxury beyond mere material richness, focusing keenly on the emotions that these experiences provoke in customers. The convergence of beauty, technology, and human instincts aims to generate resonating emotional moments that connect deeply with each vehicle's owner.

For more insight into this groundbreaking craftsmanship, you can view the reference videos showcasing this innovative technology: