Lexus lighting the way
Lexus was the first manufacturer to introduce LED headlights on the 2007 LS model, the 2012 model was the first to include adaptive high-beam headlights. Now the reworked Lexus RX SUV will introduce BladeScan-type adaptive headlight system.
The automotive lighting technology BladeScan will be introduced with the latest iteration of the Lexus RC SUV which is launching later this year. For safer night time and poor weather driving conditions, the BladeScan system will extend forward illumination and have more accurate lighting control. The current adaptive high-beam LED included in the Safety System+ package provides the maximum illumination without blinding other road users.
BladeScan improves photometric control of the area of illumination from 1.7 degrees to 0.7 degrees. The new lighting system promises to give greater and earlier illumination of road margins, road signs and pedestrians. While the current system can only recognise pedestrians from 32 meters or closer, the BladeScan system increases that to 56 meters.
The RX comes with 10 LEDs in a module in the corner of each headlight which instead of just illuminating forward, reflects off two blade-shaped mirrors which rotate at high speeds resulting in light being cast diagonally. Reducing the risk of blinding oncoming vehicles, the LEDs switch on and off in synchronisation with the blade shaped mirrors, resulting in the beam projected from the lens only illuminating the road ahead.
The new RX fitted with the BladeScan technology will only launch later this year and details of the South African model range, specifications and prices will be announced nearer to the car’s on-sale date.
