Pioneer in lighting innovations: Sophisticated headlight systems already available in numerous Opel models
In-house creation: Team in Rüsselsheim creates unique demonstrator car with signature lighting innovations
Ongoing cooperation: Opel, Stellantis and the TU Darmstadt have been conducting joint research into new lighting technologies since 2022
At this year’s International Symposium on Automotive Lighting (ISAL), which is currently taking place in Darmstadt until September 24, Opel, Stellantis and the Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) are present with a special Opel Grandland. The test vehicle demonstrates how SAE Level 3-capable (hands-off, eyes-off) autonomous vehicles could communicate with other road users via lighting systems in future.
Making pioneering lighting technologies available to customers is a long-standing tradition at Opel. Opel’s lighting innovations currently available in various models with the Blitz include:
Intelli-LED: featured in Opel Corsa, Mokka and Frontera
Intelli-Lux Matrix: available in Opel Corsa, Mokka, and Combo
Intelli-Lux Pixel Light: showcased in Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer
Intelli-Lux HD Light: debuting in all-new Opel Grandland
At Opel, lighting innovation goes beyond enhancing visibility: it’s about creating safer, smarter interactions on the road. At the International Symposium on Automotive Lighting in Darmstadt, Philipp Röckl, Global Lead Lighting at Stellantis, and Julisa Le, Lead Innovation Engineer, will present a forward-looking concept: how autonomous vehicles can use light to communicate with pedestrians and other road users. To bring this idea to life, the team collaborated with the Opel Concept Workshop and students from TU Darmstadt to develop a unique Opel Grandland demonstrator.
“Headlights clearly play an important part in increasing road safety – but modern lighting systems are capable of so much more. For example, lighting signatures can easily be animated and used for animations. And the illuminated Blitz on the Opel Grandland can be substituted by a display that can both show the illuminated emblem and be used to communicate with other road users and pedestrians. By using existing lighting elements, it makes it easy to add communication features once we will introduce autonomous driving features in our cars” said Röckl.
To demonstrate what cars of the future could be capable of, the team first defined the use cases, those being ‘possible danger from a pedestrian or other situation’ and ‘the situation is safe and the danger from a pedestrian is no longer present’. In simpler terms, this represents situations that most motorists have encountered such as a child chasing a ball onto the road or a pedestrian emerging from between two parked cars. With this in mind, the team then fitted the Opel Grandland with a camera system for object and gesture detection, as well as intention prediction using artificial intelligence. And then set about refining the lighting systems.
When operating in SAE Level 3 or higher, the front and rear indicators of the Opel Grandland permanently shine in cyan – giving a clear signal to other road users. At the same time, the remaining signature lighting remains in the usual white. When the camera systems detect a pedestrian in the path of the vehicle, the signature lighting changes to magenta and the display shows a warning signal in the same colour thus visually notifying the pedestrian the car is approaching. At the same time, the vehicle begins to decelerate.
Once the Opel Grandland has come to standstill, the signature lighting changes to green and the display shows a green walking figure known from pedestrian crossing lights to indicate that the car has recognised the danger, come to a halt and that the pedestrian can now cross. In the event that the situation cannot be managed by the AI algorithm, the driver is prompted to take control of the vehicle, in line with industry standards for ADAS protocols.
“We specifically chose colours that are not already associated with other vehicle functions to avoid misunderstandings. For example, red is intuitively understandable, but it is already used for stop lights or the rear lights of cars. Cyan and magenta have been thoroughly evaluated for perception purposes and are currently not present in any traffic situations. Both ensure clear, unambiguous communication with other road users,” added Le.
This innovation reflects Opel’s commitment to accessible, intelligent safety for all road users while simultaneously building trust in autonomous vehicles.
Opel, Stellantis and the TU Darmstadt started joint research into new lighting technologies in 2022. The cooperation is part of the global Stellantis research network with respected universities. In the so-called ‘OpenLabs’, scientific knowledge is gained for use in technology systems of future vehicle generations. The strategic partnership with TU Darmstadt will enable a new era of lighting technologies. In addition, Stellantis is currently funding three doctoral students at the university’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.
‘Best Front Lamps 2025’: Adaptive, glare-free Intelli-Lux HD light with more than 50,000 elements
Expert vote: Driving Vision News community and interested parties honour pioneering lighting innovations with DVN Award
Awards ceremony: Philipp Roeckl, Global Lead Complex Lighting at Stellantis, accepts award in Munich
All-new Opel Grandland sets standards with top technologies such as the industry-leading IntelliLux HD light. This is also confirmed by the expert audience of Driving Vision News. All-new Opel Grandland has now been honoured with the prestigious DVN Award 2025 in the ‘Best Front Lamps’ category of the online vote. Philipp Roeckl, Global Lead Complex Lighting at Stellantis, accepted the award on behalf of Opel at the current DVN symposium in Munich.
Philipp Roeckl with DVN Award 2025 for all-new Opel Grandland
‘With the adaptive, glare-free Intelli-Lux HD light, we have developed a pioneering system for the new Opel Grandland. For the first time, the headlights have more than 50,000 individual elements, enabling high-resolution light distribution that is always appropriate to the situation. This not only increases comfort for the driver, but also the safety of all road users. We are delighted that the DVN community has honoured this with the DVN Award 2025,’ said Philipp Roeckl at the awards ceremony.
Driving Vision News is a network of leading experts in the fields of lighting technology, driver assistance systems, lidar and vehicle interiors. In newsletters, reports and workshops, it regularly provides information on technological developments and innovations in this specialised field. At this year's DVN Awards, numerous lighting innovations were up for election in six categories.
More precise, sharper, better: IntelliLux HD light with over 50,000 elements
Opel Grandland’s ultra-modern IntelliLux HD light turns night into day for the driver and precisely illuminates the route and surroundings. Depending on the prevailing traffic situation, the camera detects road users in front and oncoming traffic and the IntelliLux HD light cuts them out even faster and more precisely than previous matrix light technologies. The ‘light tunnel’, i.e. the area left out by the light beam, is narrower than before, while the rest of the street and the surrounding area is better lit. In this way, the system delivers even brighter and more even light distribution without dazzling others.
Scientific studies prove the benefits for safety. Objects in front of the vehicle can be detected around 30 to 40 meters earlier at a speed of 80 km/h than with conventional halogen headlights. This allows the driver to react to the potential obstacle between one and two seconds earlier – valuable time to avoid an impending collision.
Next evolutionary stage: New functions and graphic animations
At the same time, all automatic IntelliLux functions, from city and country road light to cornering light and bad weather light, have been improved and taken to a new level. The light cone in front of the vehicle can be completely digitally adjusted using more than 50,000 pixels, so that it intuitively guides the driver's perspective along the road when cornering. In addition to the digital adjustment of the light cone, depending on the turning angle, an additional light module is activated on the corresponding side of the vehicle. It illuminates the side of the road even better and thus prevents “black holes” when cornering. In bad weather or fog mode, IntelliLux HD factors in the possible glare effect caused by rain-soaked streets and adjusts the light intensity accordingly in order to reduce this effect for oncoming traffic.
In addition, the high-resolution light technology not only protects the eyes of other road users, but also those of the Opel Grandland driver. The system recognises traffic signs appearing on the road and dims the LEDs so that the reflection of the signs does not glare the driver. And ‘tourist mode’ ensures that the IntelliLux HD light can use its full performance and all functions even when driving in countries with left-hand traffic.
Finally, the new animations in the form of graphic videos that are projected in front of the vehicle to greet and bid farewell to Grandland occupants provide a first impression of what lighting developments will be possible in the future.
Unique lighting design: 3D Vizor, illuminated Opel Blitz and Edge light technology
Above all, it is not only the innovative IntelliLux HD light which is setting standards. The new Opel Grandland also stands out at first glance with its unmistakable style – especially in the dark. The new light signature of the Opel brand face makes a decisive contribution to this: the new 3D Vizor integrates the Opel Blitz, illuminated for the first time, and the innovative “edge light” technology, which extends across the entire width of the vehicle, in one flowing element.
German Energy: Opel Experimental fills brand pillars with new life
Pioneering: Innovative brand concept shows future of intelligent light
Deep learning: Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help cars recognise danger sooner
Visionary Opel Experimental, which CEO Florian Huettl presented to public for first time at last year's IAA Mobility in Munich, gives a glimpse of brand's future. This can be characterised in three words:
Greenovation: Opel Experimental is fully electric with a reduced carbon footprint
Detox: It is bold and pure in design; and focussed on essentials
Modern German: It impresses with its proportions, intelligent aerodynamics, highly efficient use of space and state-of-art lighting technology, including for first time illuminated Opel Blitz logo
Opel Experimental expresses this German Energy in Painting with Light video. It takes viewers on a night-time experiment and shows future lighting technologies. At same time, it demonstrates that future innovative lighting technology will be capable of much more than simply illuminated road and surrounding area. It will increase safety and comfort while also sparking emotions.
IntelliLux LED: Democratisation of lighting technologies has long tradition at Opel
Making pioneering lighting technologies available to customers is a long-standing tradition at Opel. This is demonstrated by the continuous development of IntelliLux LED Matrix and Pixel Light, which Opel offers for many models, from Corsa to Astra, Mokka and Grandland to new Combo. Thanks to adaptive IntelliLux LED headlights, Opel drivers always have optimum vision in the dark, without dazzling other road users.
“Development is making great strides here,” says Philipp Röckl, Global Lead Complex Lighting at Stellantis. “A few years ago we were able to hide individual 'blocks of light', but areas that need to be hidden can now be captured more precisely and seamlessly.” This is made possible by, among other things, micro-LED-based HD pixel systems that have an even higher resolution than before and also offer highest level of energy efficiency. “In addition, we will have to think about light digitally in the future. Today's standard lighting control modules are no longer sufficient given high number of pixels. We are already working on vehicle architectures that enable graphical representation of light,” adds Röckl.
Electrochromic materials and AI: Lighting is more than “just” headlights
Ground-breaking Opel Experimental, a symbol of “German Energy”, shows what this future can look like – inside as well as outside. In interior, electrochromic materials immerse passengers in atmospheric light and thus convey a feel-good factor. Reactive materials also have practical properties. For example, if a vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian is in blind spot of Opel Experimental, a coloured warning appears on inside of respective door as well as in head-up display. In addition, external side view recorded by cameras is projected onto inner door surface. This creates a visual “transparency effect” that allows a view outside to further increase visibility. New reactive technology can lift the mood and increase feel-good factor in cabin while also improving safety of driver, passengers and other road users with atmospherically changing light. This is exactly what Opel calls “Painting with Light”.
In “Painting with Light” video, Opel Experimental also shows how future lighting technology can expand view in completely extraordinary ways. Thanks to immersive, digital safety technologies, vehicles like Opel Experimental can recognise pedestrians quickly – and more clearly than ever before. Augmented reality-based technology then pulsates as a warning signal and displays other important messages and signals for drivers and road users through holograms.
“We want to optimise light for the driver and also for the camera, so that with help of AI it can recognize people and animals even better,” explains Röckl. Lighting, camera and sensor technology as well as algorithms must work together for future development so that car's predictive and therefore safety-enhancing capabilities can be optimised in every situation.
Opel Pixel Vizor with clear statements: Light as communications tool
Opel has already shown with award-winning Manta GSe how light signals can arouse emotions and increase safety. Wherever ultra-modern one-off in retro look appears, it attracts admiring glances. This is due not least to innovative Opel Pixel Vizor at front of Opel Manta GSe. Vehicle can communicate with its surroundings via Pixel Vizor. Statements like “My German heart has been ELECTRified” or “I am on a zero e‑mission” are written across front.
Engineers are continuously working on this "light communication of future" to increase safety of all road users. New, atmospheric “Painting with Light” video already gives an indication of how these developments could look like in future.
OpenLabs: Stellantis operates global research network with universities
Strategic partnership: TU Darmstadt is first OpenLab in Germany
Five main areas of development: Communication and assistance systems, adaptive headlamps, rear lights, interior lighting, light sources
Objective: Scientific insights for use in future generations of automotive lighting
Opel and the Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) have begun joint research into new lighting technologies. Cooperation is part of the global Stellantis research network with respected universities. In currently 15 so-called “OpenLabs”, scientific knowledge is gained for use in technology systems of future vehicle generations. Strategic partnership with TU Darmstadt, the first Stellantis OpenLab in Germany, will enable a new era of lighting technologies. In addition, Stellantis is funding three doctoral students at the university’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, initially for the next four years.
“Advanced adaptive light systems do so much more than just illuminate the road according to the prevailing conditions,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz. “They are linked to numerous assistance systems and make driving safer and more comfortable. Together with TU Darmstadt, we want to develop all-new lighting systems and bring them to the market. We are pleased to be working with the science and research experts from TU Darmstadt.”
Out of the lab and into the car
Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD: Pixel-Vizor
Pixel-Vizor front end of the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD already demonstrates how safety in road traffic can be increased via innovative lighting systems. “We take a holistic view of the subject of light. Light has a great relevance in many areas of the automobile, which goes far beyond the headlamps," explained Philipp Röckl, Lead Innovation Engineer Exterior Lighting. Research in the OpenLab at TU Darmstadt therefore focusses on the further development of communication and driver assistance systems, adaptive headlamps systems, rear lights, interior lighting and light sources in general.
Funded research will include an intelligent, self-adapting headlamp and tail-lamp system that optimally adapts to the environment and traffic situation as well as other influencing factors. Initial tests with a prototype are already planned for the end of the year. “We want to revolutionise automotive lighting with this technology, and accompany the development through all stages, from research to prototypes and testing to the finished product,” said Professor Tran Quoc Khanh, Head of the Department of Adaptive Lighting Systems and Visual Processing at the TU Darmstadt.
Cooperation accelerates safety gains on the road
For both cooperation partners, the new Open Lab means a win-win situation on the way to future light generations: Stellantis can draw on the expertise of the renowned TU Darmstadt to transfer research findings into vehicle systems and the TU's doctoral students can use the automotive company's technical infrastructure to test their developments in the field.
"We have been working with the experts in Professor Khanh's field for many years. This cooperation in the field of lighting technology will be intensified and strengthened in the long term by the OpenLab," adds Philipp Röckl. Current research project is initially scheduled for four years. However, the aim is to establish a strategic cooperation for the next ten years and beyond.
“If everything goes as planned, the first vehicles with the lighting technologies developed with Stellantis will be seen on the roads by 2028”, said Professor Khanh. “They will have one of the most intelligent lighting technologies in the world.”
IntelliLux LED Pixel Light already in today’s Opel Insignia, Grandland and Astra
Making innovative lighting technologies affordable for a broad range of buyers is a tradition at Opel, as the all-new Astra is currently demonstrating. In 2015, previous generation (“European Car of the Year 2016”) brought ground-breaking IntelliLux LED Matrix light to the compact class.
2015: First in class - Opel Astra with IntelliLux LED Matrix light
Now the next stage of development has begun: IntelliLux LED Pixel light familiar from the Opel flagships Insignia and new SUV Grandland is celebrating its Astra premiere.
2021: High-resolution premium lighting - All-New Opel Astra with IntelliLux LED Pixel light
With a total of 168 LED elements – 84 per headlamp – compact class newcomer ensures a precise and seamless light pattern at all times, adapted to the situation and without dazzling other road users. LEDs are integrated in ultra-slim headlights. Main headlamp “cuts out” oncoming vehicles within milliseconds. Remaining areas continue to be illuminated with full high beam, for optimum visibility and safety at all times.
All-New Opel Astra with IntelliLux LED Pixel light: Glare-free high beams
