It seems that just about every car offers some sort of exterior LED lighting these days, and the trick laser headlights are already on the roads in Europe, but Audi 
is getting ready to debut an even more advanced lighting technology this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As the self-proclaimed “leading brand in automotive lighting technology,” Audi will show off its Matrix OLED (organic light emitting diode) lights on a yet-to-be-named concept vehicle, and Audi has released a brief teaser video for the new lights.
Rather than using crystal semiconductors like today’s LED lights, the OLEDs use thin layers of organic semiconductor material just a thousandth of a millimeter thick to produce a lighting element that not only offers unique lighting solutions but also open up new possibilities for vehicle design. The OLEDs debuting in Frankfurt will be for the taillights of the concept, and will have a three-dimensional appearance.
The video gives a brief yet effective lesson on the history of headlights, and it is also a really cool visualization of the recent TopSpeed feature breaking down what types of headlights are best. Just as laser headlights have yet to be approved for use in the U.S., it will be interesting to see how regulators warm up to the idea of these new OLEDs once it comes time for production.
What Kind Of Headlights Are Best?
You can read our exhaustive review of all major types of headlights here.