Marelli's h-Digi® MicroLED Wins Top Innovator at 2024 CLEPA Awards for Automotive Lighting Technology
Marelli h-Digi® MicroLED Lighting Technology Shines at CLEPA Innovation Awards 2024
Marelli, an eminent mobility technology supplier in the automotive sector, celebrated a significant achievement at the 2024 CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) Innovation Awards, receiving recognition as a 'Top Innovator' for its state-of-the-art h-Digi® microLED lighting technology. The award was conferred during a prestigious ceremony held in Brussels on December 4, 2024.
What is h-Digi® MicroLED Technology?
In the context of automotive advancements, Marelli’s h-Digi® microLED technology represents a groundbreaking leap in headlight solutions. This technology aims to improve safety without elevating costs, making it a viable option for a wide array of vehicles. It leverages an intelligent multipixel LED matrix light source, which facilitates adaptive and dynamic headlight operation. This system surpasses conventional lighting methods by delivering high-resolution image projections onto the road, enhancing driver assistance and overall safety.
The recognition in the 'Digital' category reaffirms Marelli's commitment to innovation within the mobility ecosystem, particularly in an age where smart and connected technologies are essential. This is the second consecutive year Marelli received accolades at the CLEPA Innovation Awards, having previously been recognized in 2023 for its HorizonView head-up display, showcasing its consistent performance in delivering cutting-edge solutions.
The Technology Behind the Innovation
The h-Digi® microLED is designed to revolutionize nighttime driving experiences by modulating the light pattern based on the detection of nearby objects through a network of embedded cameras and sensors. Notably, this system offers full beam lighting that minimizes glare for pedestrians and other drivers, thereby enhancing road safety for everyone.
Key Features of h-Digi® MicroLED:
1. Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB): This feature expands the accessibility of high-resolution adaptive driving beams, making advanced safety technology available to a broader market.
2. High Resolution: With pixel sizes smaller than 0.1 degree, the illumination matrix boasts a resolution ten times that of traditional glare-free high beam systems, facilitating an extended illumination range.
3. Dynamic Lighting Functions: The system also provides adaptive lighting features, such as light bending on country roads, special patterns for high-speed driving, and adjustments for adverse weather conditions.
4. Graphics Projection: Each microLED can project essential graphics onto the road, providing drivers with safety messages and guidance.
5. Energy Efficiency: The compact nature of the design enhances energy efficiency, ensuring that high-performance lighting doesn’t come at the cost of increased energy consumption.
Marelli offers two configurations of the microLED module: one with 25,600 pixels and another with 19,200 pixels, optimized for different applications. Combined with a proprietary optical lens system and advanced electronic controls designed in-house, the whole system boasts remarkable performance metrics and reliability.
A Vision for the Future
Frank Huber, President of Marelli's Automotive Lighting and Sensing business, expressed pride in receiving the CLEPA 'Top Innovator' award, highlighting the company’s leadership in lighting technologies. He emphasized that the h-Digi® microLED not only sets new benchmarks for safety and driving comfort but is also affordable, making these innovations more accessible to the automotive market.
As Marelli continues to push the envelope in automotive lighting technology, its mission stands clear: to contribute to a safer, greener, and more connected future in mobility. With an impressive global workforce of around 50,000, the company operates 170 facilities and R&D centers across multiple continents, driving transformative solutions in the industry.
Conclusion
The accolade for Marelli's h-Digi® microLED technology at the CLEPA Innovation Awards underscores the vital role of innovation in automotive safety. As digital solutions become increasingly integrated into vehicles, technologies like Marelli’s microLED will undeniably shape the future of driving, ensuring that safety and usability remain paramount. With this recent recognition, Marelli not only celebrates its achievements but also sets the stage for continued advancements in automotive lighting solutions.