Taiwan Develops Production-ready Auto/Motorcycle LED Headlamp

Taipei, July 19, 2006 (CENS)--A Taiwan research alliance consisting of local auto and motorcycle makers, automotive electronics companies, auto-lamp suppliers, and research institutes have jointly developed a light-emitting diode (LED) auto and motorcycle headlamp.

The LED headlamp has passed brightness tests and is expected to be commercialized soon by local original equipment (OE) and aftermarket (AM) parts suppliers for both motorcycle and automobile applications.

Members of the LED headlamp R&D alliance include Hua-chuang Automobile Information Technical Center Co. Ltd. (HAITEC, a joint venture between local automobile-manufacturing conglomerate Yulon Group, the government, and information and communication technology makers), Yamaha Motor Taiwan Co. (complete powered two-wheeler, or PTW, maker), Ta Yih Industrial Co. (OE auto-lamp supplier), Depo Auto Parts Ind. Co. Ltd. (AM auto-lamp), Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd. (LED packager), Epistar Corp. (LED maker), and the government-sponsored Automotive Research and Testing Center (ARTC).

ARTC project manager Liao Hsueh-lung pointed out that his center had started R&D work on the LED headlamp at the same time as companies and research institutes in other nations. Currently, no LED headlamps have been adopted by automakers anywhere in the world. If the commercialization process goes according to schedule, Liao added, Taiwan is expected to take a leading position in the automotive/motorcycle LED headlamp application market.

Members of the R&D alliance are working towards separate goals within the project, Liao said. HAITEC for example, is responsible for the design integration of the automotive headlamps. Yulon has decided to adopt LED headlamps in at least three car models currently under development. Yamaha Taiwan is working to adapt the product for future application in its PTW products. Depo and Ta Yih are developing and manufacturing LED headlamps for both the OE and AM auto-parts markets.

Liao estimated that over the next six years, LED headlamps are expected to contribute an additional production value of NT$15.3 billion (US$470.77 million at US$1: NT$32.5) to the local auto-parts industry.

Liao also pointed out that ARTC and makers in Taiwan's automotive line jointly began developing LED headlamps with the goal of matching the environmental protection trend in the global automotive market. Currently, the alliance's fourth-generation LED headlamp prototype features several advantages over conventional lamps, including a product life that is 10 times longer, energy savings of up to 50%, and a response time that is 330 times quicker.

After real-world testing, Liao said, the prototype passed the requirements of Regulation No.112 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations (UN/ECE) for automotive lighting products.

Liao also added that ARTC is working on solving overheating problems in the LED headlamps that have resulted from the adoption of traditional LED bulbs. The consortium is now working on developing next-generation LEDs with higher lumens but lower heat.

Under the subsidization of the government-sponsored Technology Development Program (TDP) project, ARTC began establishing ties with alliance members to jointly develop next-generation advanced vehicle lighting systems in 2004.

The LED headlamp prototype is expected to be formally announced by ARTC in September, and the TDP project plans to transfer related techniques to local makers to further upgrade the Taiwan automotive-lighting industry's global competitiveness.