CES 2015

Laser vision may be coming to a car in your future

Twice the range of normal high beams, but illegal in the U.S.

Published: January 09, 2015 12:30 PM

Automakers and their suppliers that have gotten behind laser headlight technology promote it as having a brighter, whiter light than conventional bulbs. Better still is the distance ahead they say lasers can illuminate—roughly double that of ordinary high beams or about 2,000 feet.

Used in combination with ordinary headlights, lasers provide a more concentrated, targeted long range beam that is ideal for high-speed cruising on deserted stretches of highway, while the conventional lights cover the sides and area closer to the car. Lasers also have the capability to adjust intensity for conditions, and to selectively alter the beam to avoid blinding oncoming traffic or to better illuminate pedestrians or objects ahead while still providing an improved view of the road ahead.

Also read: Driving a BMW with night vision proves illuminating

Already in limited use in Europe, we saw demonstrations of laser headlights in action from Audi and BMW at CES. But don't hold your breath for the technology to appear here soon, because current federal lighting standards mean that laser headlights aren't legal in the United States. The Industry is lobbying the government to change that, but there's no word on if or when or if that might happen.

Check the model pages to see the results from our headlight tests.

—Jim Travers with Seung Min Yu