2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Edition is the pioneer of laser headlight technology on the US market

The main obstacle for Audi to introduce their laser headlight technology into the United States market was the NHTSA. That was the case until the recent change of situation. Apparently, this technology got the green light because it was determined that it represents no danger to the traffic participants, and it will be featured on 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition for the first time.

Actually, this piece of tech is limited almost exclusively to this model. That put aside, let us see what this technology consists of. It is based on standard LED headlights that are being used on this supercar but are additionally equipped with high-intensity laser diodes that are put into a module of each and every headlamp.
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monster - 11/4/2016 10:21:11 AM

+2 Boost

I am curious about this laser light being used here. I wonder what kind of blinding effect it will have on incoming traffic or anybody for that matter.

Agent009 - 11/4/2016 10:32:43 AM

+1 Boost

I imagine small animals will be most affected

TheSteve - 11/4/2016 2:17:42 PM

0 Boost

"You got sharks with frikin' lasers?" -- Dr. Evil

TheSteve - 11/4/2016 2:25:06 PM

+1 Boost

We must remember that a laser *used* to be something like ruby rod (i.e., a ruby laser). Today, lasers are solid state, small, and *very* similar to LEDs, such as those found in high-performance LED flashlights. You can find these solid-state lasers in laser pointers for a few bucks.

So when Audi is touting “laser headlights”, don’t think of old-school ruby lasers or laser fabric cutters or the kind of laser that NASA shines at the moon to measure its distance. Think of an LED variant! And we know that LED headlights have been around for a while, so this is not a new concept.

Calling this specific type of LED headlight a “Laser” headlight is more of a marketing ploy than a technological revolution.

JRobUSC - 11/4/2016 5:39:51 PM

+1 Boost

it's also not a revolutionary new concept in that BMW has had laser headlights available on the i8 for some time already, and they'd have been here in the U.S. years ago if not for BMW having to jump through hoops getting them Certified with the FDA, because laser headlights were classified as a medical device. So you're welcome Audi for doing the legwork so you could be second.

GermanNut - 11/4/2016 7:00:21 PM

-1 Boost

Yet another innovation by Audi in the U.S. market. No other brand offers laser headlights in the U.S.

JRobUSC - 11/4/2016 7:15:23 PM

+2 Boost

Really? No one brought them here first? Are ya sure?

http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/11/17/bmw-i8-laser-lights-available-as-an-option-for-the-first-time-in-the-us/

cidflekken - 11/5/2016 3:27:20 PM

+2 Boost

Yep.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/hit-me-with-those-laser-beams-2017-audi-r8-v10-plus-exclusive-has-laser-high-beams/

"Technically, the 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition is not the first production car in the United States to have this type of lighting technology. That honor belongs to a different six-figure car, the BMW i8, which first had lasers overseas at its debut in the 2014 model year and brought them to U.S. buyers in 2016."