The directors of light
The Intelli-Lux HD light in the new Opel Grandland sets standards-and inspires experts: Philipp Roeckl, Head of Advanced Lighting at Stellantis, explains what makes the excellent system so unique-and why light technology decisively shaped the future of the automotive.
Large stage, fully occupied rows of chairs: At the 34th Driving Vision News (DVN) workshop in the Munich Motorworld, the leading light specialists from all over the world discuss innovations and trends-and they are characterized by the best technologies. Philipp Roeckl, global director Advanced Lighting at Stellantis, is particularly in the spotlight at this year’s award ceremony in February: for Opel, he accepts the DVN Award 2025 in the “Best Horse Fringe” category.
“We knew that the Intelli-Lux HD light set standards in the new Grandland,” says Roeckl. “But winning against this strong competition – including many luxury manufacturers – makes the award very special.” The online vote is clear: every fourth voice goes to Opel. The specialist audience celebrates innovation.
The term “front headlight” hardly does justice to the Intelli-Lux HD light. 51,200 pixel elements, 25,600 per side, create a continuous light projection. “The system works like a video projector,” says Roeckl. The small light cinema, integrated into the front of the Grandland, lights up and the surrounding area. The night turns into the day. The digital high-tech component developed an 18-member team in Rüsselsheim.
“Winning strong competition – including many luxury manufacturers – makes the award very special.”
Over 50,000 pixel elements make night a day: the Intelli-Lux HD light recognizes, among other things, opposing vehicles and traffic signs. Philipp Roeckl accepted the DVN Award 2025 for the innovative system.
The directors of light have further perfected the system: it shines lighter and more even – without blinding. “A camera recognizes other vehicles, the system reacts at lightning speed,” says Roeckl. The light tunnel, i.e. the area out of the beam, is narrower than ever – while the rest remains optimally illuminated. In curves, the light intuitively follows the driver’s gaze. Depending on the steering angle, a side light module is activated. In the rain, the Intelli-Lux HD light reduces the glare effect of wet roads. It recognizes traffic signs and dims the LEDs to avoid reflections. In the “tourist fashion” it adapts to the left-hand traffic.
Such an excellent innovation is no coincidence: progressive light technologies have a tradition at Opel. “In this new development,” says Roeckl, “there are decades of experience.” His team? All experts in their field. “The technology is highly digital, our software competence is great.” Some of the colleagues are nocturnal: after dark, they drive thousands of test kilometers to validate the system.
“The focus is on the light on the car as rarely before – not least as a dominant design element.”
The international specialist audience has decided: The DVN Award in the “Best Horse Hairwell” category goes to the lighting system in the new Grandland.
In any case, light technology is currently in an exciting phase of innovation: “The light on the car is in focus as rarely before,” said the development engineer. “In the past hidden behind gripped glass, it is a design element today.” Best example: the 3D vizor on the Grandland. Here Intelli-Lux HD light and illuminated Opel flash merge into one unit for the first time-connected by a light tape with “Edge Light” technology. “The timing was perfect,” says Roeckl. “As soon as the law allowed such a light front, our system was ready for series production.”
The era of light has just started, so Roeckl is certain. Lighting systems will further shape the autodesign – and become more and more intelligent themselves. “Artificial intelligence will soon enable fully adaptive light distribution – even more situational, even more partial.” In the OpenLab of Stellantis, his team together with the TU Darmstadt drives development: “We look at the subject of light holistically, it is very relevant in many areas of the automobile.” The research focuses: communication and driver assistance systems, adaptive headlights, taillights, interior lighting and new light sources.
The new light animations of the Grandland are already offering a foretaste of the future. When greeted and adopted, project graphic sequences in front of the vehicle. The directors of light – they still have big plans.
Excellent: The Rüsselsheim light team celebrates the renowned price.
March 2025
Photos: Opel