Mazda to reveal LED headlight and self-driving tech

Mazda will be the first Japanese brand to introduce adaptive LED headlights, if its exhibit at tomorrow's CEATEC JAPAN electronics show is any guide.

It has also flagged its intention to enter the autonomous vehicle race by revealing a Mazda3 with automated driving technologies at the show, which from October 7 to 11 at the Makuhari Messe convention complex in Tokyo.

Mazda says its next-generation Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) is the next step in its i-ACTIVSENSE suite of advanced safety systems, offering enhanced recognition support when driving at night.

The high-beam light source of its LED headlight array is divided into four blocks that can be switched on and off independently. The system uses a camera to detect the headlights of oncoming vehicles or the tail-lights of cars ahead, and turns off only the light-source blocks that illuminate other vehicles.

This makes it possible to drive with high beams on at all times, significantly improving visibility when driving at night without dazzling drivers of other vehicles, says Mazda.

ALH also features wide-distribution low beams, with LED light sources at the sides of the headlights expanding the area of low-beam illumination on either side of the vehicle, making it easier to see pedestrians and other obstacles at intersections at night.

The system also incorporates a Highway Mode that employs the motor of the auto-levelling mechanism to automatically raise the axis of lighting when travelling at highway speeds, making it easier to see road signs and obstacles as early as possible.

While some European manufacturers already offer production vehicles with LED and even laser headlight technology, Mazda says it is the first Japanese car-maker to reveal LED array glare-free high-beam headlights.

Another R&D advance, meaning it's not yet confirmed for production, to appear from Mazda tomorrow is automated driving technology.

"Mazda places the utmost importance on understanding, trusting and respecting drivers as human beings," said the company.

"Based on this, the company is developing an automated driving system to constantly watch over people — especially the condition of the driver — with the aim of helping to avoid driving errors and situations where an accident becomes unavoidable."

Details are scarce, but Mazda says its self-driving technology will make its public debut in a Mazda3 fitted with high-precision GPS, monitors that sense the state of the vehicle and "motion control technologies that focus on human senses".

"Mazda aims to contribute to a society where people can enjoy driving vehicles and appreciate driving pleasure with peace of mind, knowing that technologies are there to support them even if the unexpected occurs."