Dazzling light carpets for convenience and safety

Entry lighting has become an indispensable feature of premium cars. This is hardly a surprise, given that it combines practical aspects, such as illuminating the vehicle surroundings in the dark, with the aesthetic appeal of the light, which enhances the design of the vehicle.

However, standard solutions offered by car manufacturers are not very bright and provide little scope for customization. This is where the innovative start-up GLOWWING^® comes in…

Unlike conventional car door or mirror projectors, the GLOWWING^® modules developed and manufactured in Leipzig shine out from the rocker panels of the vehicle. The concept has already been implemented in many ex-works BMW models since 2015, from the new 3 Series G20 to the X7. The inventors and developers of this technology formerly employed by BMW went on to set up GLOWWING^® in order to offer clients far greater light power and individuality.

Activation BEFORE doors open

The clever positioning in the rocker panels allows the light pattern projected by the GLOWWING^® modules to be perfectly visible even when the doors are shut.

Passengers are therefore guided safely to their vehicle when it is dark and other road users, such as approaching cyclists, are warned BEFORE the doors are about to open. The projectors are controlled via the standard electronics of the vehicle, in the same way as the factory-fitted interior and door handle lights. GLOWWING^® emits a light carpet of up to four meters long and one meter wide next to the vehicle and its design can be selected from five different patterns. In addition, the customer can choose their own design on request.

New patented high-tech optics for bright, clear images

Despite their compact size – roughly the same as a matchbox – the GLOWWING^® high-power projectors produce an image that is up to six times brighter than the OEM lights they replace.

This was made possible thanks to an innovative micro-lens array (MLA), which consists of around 150 tiny micro-projectors powered by one of the most powerful LEDs currently available.

Of course, the GLOWWING^® technology is also protected from the elements: The modules – which were designed in accordance with protection class IP67 – are dust-proof and even resistant to salt water. And as proof of their durability, these projectors even come with a two-year warranty. More and more manufacturers are waking up to the potential, which means that the list of supported vehicles for the replacement sets is constantly growing. GLOWWING^® can be purchased from €799 for selected BMW and Mercedes AMG models.

The GLOWWING^® team’s next big step will be the market launch of the universal set, which will make light carpets possible in all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer and year.