Audi’s new tail lights can warn of danger

Audi will debut new exterior lighting technology on its upcoming Q6 e-tron, which has the ability to communicate with other road users.

The software was developed in conjunction with the Volkswagen Group’s technology division Cariad, which has reportedly been responsible for numerous product delays.

Audi has now further developed its proximity indication to feature what it calls a communication light.

The software will have the ability to project ‘car-to-X-communication’ graphics onto the rear lights that can alert other road users of accidents and breakdowns.

In an emergency, the rear lights can display symbols when, for example, the driver has made an emergency call, or when there is a risk of a rear-end collision.

Audi claims the technology will allow surface light sources to not require additional reflectors or light guides.

The front and rear lights can also display when the vehicle is in its automated parking mode.

Buyers of the upcoming Q6 e-tron will be able to choose from up to eight different digital light signatures for the matrix LED headlights and OLED tail lights. Owners will be able to change the lighting settings using the infotainment system.

Audi has introduced the functionality to the myAudi app. Customers can now activate their vehicle’s light signatures from outside the car.

Six additional lighting signatures with a coming home/leaving home lighting animation are available for purchase. Customers can access these optional features for a specific period or choose to adopt them permanently.

Customers will need to option the high-beam assist and Matrix package to access the lighting signature feature.

Designers have added 70 individual LEDs to form the next-generation daytime running lights, which are housed in what Audi calls a metalised 3D trim.

The tail lights are made from six 360-segment OLED panels that generate a new image every 10 milliseconds.

Audi has also included an LED light strip on the tailgate.

The German automaker claims its engineers have been able to create a three-dimensional look using two-dimensional surfaces.

This is the second generation of Audi’s OLED (organic LED) rear light technology.

The first iteration of Audi’s OLED tech debuted in 2016 on the Audi TT RS, and was later rolled out to the Q5, A8 and S8.

The Q6 e-tron is expected to go on sale in 2024. It will be based on the new Premium Platform Electric, co-developed by Audi and Porsche and also underpinning the next-generation Porsche Macan.