Car lights have evolved in leaps and bounds over the years, as safety has become a major concern among automobile manufacturers, car owners, and government. Anti-fog lights, specifically have gained much notable traction—as both standard and optimal fitment, in all car classes. Manufacturers of anti-fog lights have adopted IMU sensors, laser lights, radars, and night vision systems to improve visibility and enhance the safety aspects of vehicles.
More importantly, the growing adoption of light emitting diode (LED) and increasing popularity of connected lighting systems are the two factors likely to impact the widespread adoption of anti-fog lights. Such technological advancements are likely to change the rules of the game for players in the anti-fog lights market—pushing for newer market strategies to win the future. As per an ongoing analysis, the global anti-fog lights market is anticipated to hold a sizeable market share in the coming years, in terms of volume and value.
Recent Anti-fog Lights Innovations Could Remove Fog and Enhance Visibility, amongst Other Benefits
Researchers from MIT, have developed a new system using a Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) camera that would enhance visibility through fog and warn drivers of obstacles. The newly-developed system uses ultrafast measurements and an advanced algorithm that systematically removes fog—creating a depth map of the objects along the drive way. The SPAD camera is used for throwing laser light and also measure the reflection round-time of the reflections. MIT researchers are eyeing the expensive, pulse shooting LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems and ride its wave to soon add their fog feature to the cars. Similarly, in another innovation, Philips’s X-treme Ultinon LED Fog Lamps are said to deliver up to 200 percent brighter light for superior visibility.
Confusing Use of Anti-fog Lights Makes Way for Mandatory Regulations, Globally
In New South Wales, drivers could end up paying a fine of AU$110 along with losing two demerit points. In other parts of Australia, improper use of anti-fog lights could attract a fine ranging from a mere AU$50 to a whopping AU$233 coupled with losing additional demerit points. As per the Highway Code (Rule 226) in United Kingdom, driver are only allowed to use anti-fog lights only when the visibility if less than 100 meters. For misusing anti-fog lights, Road Safety Authority (RSA) enforces a penalty of €1,000 in the case of a first offence and €2,000 in second or subsequent offences. Most road safety regulator authorities have stringent guidelines pertaining to the used of anti-fog lights considering that the lights are an optional extra and not a legal requirement in cars.
Carmakers Doing Away with Separate Anti-fog Lights and Consumer Shift toward DRLs to Slow Down Adoption
Top luxury vehicles manufacturers including Audi, Cadillac, Mercedes Benz, and Lincoln are eliminating the front anti-fog lights from their latest models given their high-tech headlights that makes the presence of anti-fog lights redundant and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s statement indicating ‘fog lamps as a supplementary equipment’. Additionally, some manufacturers including Mercedes Benz are replacing anti-fog lights with Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that are bright and low-powered using LED technology—making it a legal requirement by Department of Transport (DoT) and the European Commission.
Deep-dive insights on the anti-fog lights market can be availed here.