Xenon TechnologyXenon Technology

The lighting of modern vehicles has not only been designed to meet legal requirements, but frequently provides a further plus in terms of performance, and therefore also safety. In spite of this, being able to see even more can often be of life-saving importance in extreme situations, as only when a hazard is recognized in good time is there sufficient time remaining to react accordingly. Xenon technology is currently the most advanced development in the field of motor vehicle lighting systems. Xenon has decisive advantages over the light of conventional light-bulbs; its improved light output makes the road brighter and illuminates a wider area. The daylight-like quality of xenon light is especially welcomed by the human eye. Drivers get tired slower and driving becomes more relaxed. This means an enormous gain in safety and driving comfort. How does Xenon lighting specifically improve over conventional lighting? Read on to find out!

Xenon lamps from Hella

Xenon Technology: How does the eye see?Xenon Technology: How does the eye see?

When driving, more than 90% of information reaches the driver via the eye. Because of this, the eye determines our behavior and reactions in everyday traffic situations more than any other sensory organ. But what happens exactly when a person sees? Extremely simplified, the human eye can be compared with a camera whose body corresponds with the opaque sclera of the eye. The object to be "seen" is projected by the "lens" onto the light-sensitive "film". The parts functioning as the lens are the cornea, the iris, the lens and the liquid in the vitreous body. The "film" is the retina. An initial processing of the information takes place in the retina. Data which have already been pre-encoded are passed via the optic nerve to the "processing laboratory", the optic centre in the brain. Here they are compared with available known patterns and then recognized. Only after all of this has taken place is it possible to react to that which is seen. At the same time, this conscious vision is further enhanced by the present disposition of the viewer. For example, a high level of attentiveness and experience can optimize the result, while tiredness makes it worse. Seeing is therefore an extremely complicated process which can be easily impaired, as it is not limited only to physical processes.

The eye works like a camera.

Xenon Technology: The principle of selective perceptionXenon Technology: The principle of selective perception

According to the calculations of statisticians, a car driver needs to take in, process and react to the information of a traffic sign on average every 70 metres. Therefore, at a speed of 100 kph, every 2.5 seconds on average. Added to this are other demands made on the driver, such as weather conditions, road conditions, direction of the road, other road users, changing gear, braking, etc. This permanent stress of assimilating information and acting on it is considerably intensified at night. The result is a dramatic reduction in acuity of vision to one twentieth of normal daytime performance. Obviously, the driver is then no longer able to take in important information because of the reduced field of vision, the considerably reduced contrast and the difficulty in recognising colours. Thus the danger of accidents grows.

Stimulus situation: More Information than the motorist can deal with.

Xenon Technology: Driving at night is hard workXenon Technology: Driving at night is hard work

If after hours of driving at night the eyes begin to smart, the eyelids flutter, or the driver even experiences double vision and the much-feared momentary nodding off, this is in no way a consequence of tired eyes. The more important influencing factors are the monotony of night-time highway driving, the feeling of boredom, and the driver's biorhythm and general tiredness. Key too are stress and psychological strain. Any one or several of these factors can cause the driver to tire and lower his or her ability to concentrate. Therefore it is not seeing which itself leads to tiredness, but the concentration that is needed for this. The brighter and wider illumination of the road provided by xenon light reduces the level of concentration required, and the driver therefore does not tire as quickly. According to a survey carried out by Emnid, 85% of all xenon users state that they are able to see better at night, in the case of the over-50s, this figure is even 90%.

The dreaded double vision is a result of absolute concentration when driving at night.

Xenon Technology: Benefits of Xenon lightXenon Technology: Benefits of Xenon light

Compared with the light from conventional bulbs, xenon light has two decisive advantages: on the one hand, a xenon bulb provides more than twice as much light as a modern H7 bulb, but consumes only about one third of the power. On the other hand, the light emitted by the xenon bulb has a color temperature which is similar to that of daylight.
Can you recognize the hazard with conventional low beam light?	Can you recognize the hazard with Xenon low beam light?
The additional amount of light makes the road brighter and more widely illuminated. This provides additional safety. Hazards at the side of the road in particular are recognized sooner, but also obstacles in the path of the vehicle. Pedestrians and cyclists become more visible, as also do traffic signs at the side of the road. Both the improved illumination of the road and the daylight quality of the light mean that the driver does not tire so quickly and drives in a more relaxed manner. Furthermore, xenon light increases the contrast and improves colou vision. In poor weather conditions - for example in rain, fog, or snow - the driver has a much improved spatial vision. This means that the driver's powers of orientation are less limited, in spite of adverse conditions.

Xenon Technology: Users for LifeXenon Technology: Users for Life

Anyone who has once driven with xenon lights will never settle for anything less.Anyone who has once driven with xenon lights will never settle for anything less.

In 1997, the renowned market research organisation Emnid conducted a survey among car drivers whose vehicles are fitted with xenon headlamps. Of those surveyed, 64 % were high-mileage drivers who used their cars a lot, driving more than 12,000 miles annually. The results speak for themselves:

94%94% had a positive opinion of xenon light, above all brightness (42%) and general quality of illumination (35%) were quoted.
85%85% of all xenon users state that they are able to see better at night, in the case of the over-50s, this figure is even 90%.
83%83% of all xenon users would order xenon headlamps for their next car.
75%75% of all xenon users said that the wider illumination of the road provides a greater degree of safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
75%75% of all xenon users said that thanks to xenon light they are able to recognise obstructions on the road sooner.
69%69% of all xenon users would certainly recommend xenon light to other drivers for their next vehicle.
66%66% of all xenon users deliberately chose to equip their vehicles with this option in order to improve vision at night and in poor weather conditions.
64%64% of all xenon users believe xenon light to be so good that it should be standard on all vehicles.
61%61% of all xenon users feel safer with xenon light.