ZKW, a member of the LG group, will supply digital matrix LED headlights for the new Audi Q3.
The ZKW Group, a premium lighting systems and electronics corporations, became a subsidiary of LG Electronics' vehicle solutions and a member of the LG group in 2018. ZKW provides cost-competitive, high-performance LED products. The ZKW Group maintains corporate entities and branches in a total of 12 regions worldwide, and they are systematically connected in development and production. In 2024, it employed about 10,000 people and recorded sales of 1.55 billion euros.
The digital matrix LED headlights applied to the new Audi Q3 are a system developed by ZKW in close cooperation with Audi's technical experts, achieving precise light control and excellent nighttime visibility simultaneously.
In particular, this model is the first to apply high-resolution digital matrix LED lights based on micro LED technology. Each headlight is equipped with 25,600 individually controllable micro LED pixels, enabling very precise light control and projection.
This technology increases contrast and adjusts brightness according to driving conditions to illuminate the road more clearly. It also further advances the automatically controlled glare-reducing high-beam function, effectively helping secure the driver's visibility during nighttime driving.
The new Audi Q3 applies a headlight design with separated upper and lower sections, creating a distinctive exterior.
The upper section houses LED daytime running lights and turn signals, while the lower section contains the main headlight module, giving a modern and compact impression. The thin, extended upper light strip emphasizes the vehicle's width, and the large lower headlights reinforce a technical yet functional feel.
ZKW realized a high level of integration with the front design through compact lighting module designs matching this design concept. In addition, the LED-based digital daytime running lights offer multiple digital light signatures, allowing drivers to choose a design that suits their preference.
The high-performance advanced lighting module is the result of years of joint research and development by ZKW and LG Optics (LG Optics). The system consists of 25,600 individual micro LEDs with a diameter of 40 micrometers (㎛), and multiple ultra-precise lenses gather light and project it accurately onto the road.
Also, when a camera mounted at the front of the vehicle detects oncoming or leading vehicles, it selectively blocks only the LEDs that could obstruct the vision of other road users, minimizing glare. Thanks to this system, the other road areas can maintain maximum brightness. ZKW's high-resolution LED module raises lighting precision to the next level and maximizes driving safety.
ZKW's micro LED technology is linked with Audi's driver assistance systems, expanding beyond simple lighting into an active safety solution. It can project direct warnings of slippery road hazards onto the road or, depending on the situation, illuminate lane lighting and directional guidance lights that help perceive driving direction during highway driving.
These integrated lighting assistance functions deliver information that drivers need to perceive while driving more intuitively, further enhancing road safety. For example, when changing lanes on the highway, the system automatically brightens the lane being entered to aid the driver's driving judgment. In addition, the digital matrix LED headlights integrate basic lighting functions including static cornering light, turning assist light, and dynamic turn signals.
Harald Humenberger, executive vice president and head of R&D at ZKW Group, said ZKW's new digital micro LED technology provides a differentiated lighting solution for the Audi Q3 and establishes a new lighting technology standard for the small SUV segment.
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