Does any car use LED based headlamps?
Per Feb 2004, there are no production vehicles using LED headlamps. However, several manufacturers is experimenting on prototypes. The first production models is expected to reach production around 2005. A typical LED headlamp will consist of 15-50 single LEDs. Each beam will be aimed in its unique direction. With an 80 degree beam opening angle and 15 LEDs, each beam will cover 5.3 degrees. LED supplier Lumileds is probably leading the LED output race with 120 lumens from a single LED. There is no doubt that Lumileds will be one of the big suppliers of white LEDs for headlamp use. Lumileds is a joint venture of Agilent Technologies (HP spinoff company) and Philips Lighting. For now, the challenges are: • Getting enough lumens per dollar • Get correct intensity levels according to regulation trrougouht entire beam. • Getting intensity even from across beam from side to side. • Per summer 2003, the lowest color rating was 5500K on all high output white LEDs. This is too bluish color for
