Leading the new ecology of automotive lighting, Nationstar Optoelectronics’ innovation opens up a new horizon for intelligent driving

With the in-depth evolution of the new four modernization waves in the automobile industry, intelligence, electrification, networking and sharing are no longer distant visions, but practical examination papers that profoundly affect every industry chain enterprise. Automotive lighting systems are undergoing an essential leap from functional lighting to digital interaction and intelligent perception. Light is no longer just for illuminating the road ahead, but has become the core medium for human-vehicle interaction and vehicle-environment interconnection.

Recently, at the 21st Shanghai International Automotive Lighting Exhibition (ALE 2026) held grandly at Kunshan Huaqiao International Expo Center, Nationstar Optoelectronics, as a leader in the global LED packaging industry, presented its latest research and development results in the field of automotive LEDs in a panoramic manner with the theme of "Linking the New Ecosystem of Smart Travel".

LEDinside was also fortunate to have an exchange with Dr. Lan Mingwen, director of the R&D Department of Nationstar's Automotive LED Business Unit at the exhibition site, and gave an in-depth analysis of how Nationstar relies on its accumulated technical core to establish a leading advantage in the fierce market competition, and in this way empower the leap-forward development of domestic automotive LED technology.

Dr. Lan Mingwen, Director of R&D Department of Nationstar Automotive LED Business Unit (left) & Yu Bin, Research Director of LEDinside (right)

From lighting to interaction, the technological reshaping of Micro LED pixel headlights and the market turning point

In the core area of ​​Nationstar’s booth, the 10,000-pixel digital Micro LED light source module attracted the attention of many domestic and foreign merchants. This product is not only the crystallization of Nationstar Optoelectronics' scientific research strength, but also the best example of "industry leadership and technology platformization".

40700 pixel Micro LED light source module

Currently, automobile headlights are evolving from traditional lighting functions to both lighting and display. Correspondingly, matrix light control displays are also divided into hundred-level, ten-thousand-level and million-level pixel displays. The Micro LED light source module displayed by Nationstar Optoelectronics this time uses eutectic bonding technology to integrate micron-level chips on the CMOS driver to achieve independent control of 40,000 pixels. The product has a pixel pitch of 40 microns and a small size of only 0.61 inches, but it can output 2,500 lumens of luminous flux and can project lane safety guidance, dynamic zebra crossing projections, and light prompts to give way to pedestrians.

40700 pixel Micro LED light source module effect

This pixel improvement from hundreds to 10,000 levels can allow drivers and passengers to change their view of car headlights. At present, Micro LED car lights have been applied in high-end models of brands such as Porsche and NIO. Dr. Lan Mingwen said that Nationstar Optoelectronics will start to display Micro LED car light modules in 2023 and has accumulated rich packaging experience. At the same time, through long-term communication with the industry chain, it is ready for gradual industrialization. It is hoped that through this exhibition, relevant companies will jointly define the pixel requirements of Micro LED car light products and promote their industrial application.

In addition to Micro LED light source modules, Nationstar Optoelectronics also displayed exterior interactive display products covering P1 to P4 spacing. These products have the characteristics of high brightness, low power consumption and high contrast, and are still clearly visible under strong sunlight, and can meet the interactive needs of personalized display and dynamic light language of vehicles.

Dr. Lan Mingwen believes that with the rapid development of AI technology, intelligent driving will become more and more mature. Car exteriors will no longer be used only for lighting. Interactive displays that comply with regulatory requirements will also be an immediate demand. By communicating one's own driving status with other vehicles and people through direct displays, driving safety can be improved.

Intelligent interactive products

Quality is the basis, and the entire industry chain layout helps the process of domestic substitution

During the interview, "quality first" was a word that Dr. Lan Mingwen mentioned repeatedly. He said that cars are consumer products with a long life cycle, and the reliability requirements of automotive electronics far exceed those of consumer electronics. Nationstar's management system has passed the IATF 16949 system certification very early, and automotive LED products have been developed in accordance with the reliability standards of AEC-Q102.

Under the layout and coordination of Guangsheng Holding Group's electronic information platform industry chain, Nationstar Optoelectronics has a one-stop service system for chip growth, device packaging, and application module manufacturing and delivery. The control of the entire industry chain allows Nationstar Optoelectronics to still have high-quality core competitiveness in the face of fierce competition in the automotive market.

Dr. Lan Mingwen said that competition in the domestic new energy vehicle market has brought price pressure, and has also brought product application decentralization and more usage scenarios. Superimposed on changes in the international environment, the process of domestic substitution may become faster and faster. For example, some high-end automotive light sources were monopolized by international companies in the past. Now that the domestic supply chain has improved, the gap between us and international manufacturers is narrowing.

In response to the high requirements of BYD and other leading new energy vehicle companies for supply chain response speed and customization capabilities, Nationstar Optoelectronics has adopted an extremely flexible customized service strategy and helped customers significantly shorten the development cycle through a technology platform strategy.

At present, Nationstar Optoelectronics' ice blue light signal lights, ultra-red light sources and other series of products have been successfully embedded in the smart driving systems of many mainstream car companies, achieving perfect support for ADS (autonomous driving) reminder signs and driving status recognition. These cases not only prove the reliability of Nationstar products, but also are strong evidence that Nationstar Optoelectronics empowers the development of domestic automotive LED technology.

Exterior vehicle signal light series

Immersive cockpit and healthy lighting define humanistic and technological care for future travel

In addition to intelligent lighting outside the vehicle, Nationstar Optoelectronics has also demonstrated its high attainments in creating a "smart light environment" inside the cockpit.

With the popularization of autonomous driving technology, the interior of the car will become the "third living space" for users, and entertainment screens, ambient lights, and health care solutions will become core pain points. The Mini COB backlight module displayed by Nationstar Optoelectronics relies on its large light-emitting angle chip and advanced LED technology to support more than 2,000 independent dimming zones, with a contrast ratio of up to one million to one, and the entire screen thickness is less than 3 mm. This ultimate picture quality performance meets the needs of some star models for high-definition in-car entertainment systems.

Intelligent Cockpit

At the same time, Nationstar Optoelectronics’ in-depth exploration in the field of healthy lighting is also eye-catching. Dr. Lan Mingwen introduced that the new generation of ambient lighting sources not only integrates temperature compensation and built-in diagnostic functions, but also supports 16-bit high color accuracy and can be adjusted in real time according to the driver's mood and ambient light.

In addition, Nationstar has launched a healthy lighting solution that simulates natural light environments, which can effectively suppress harmful blue light and relieve visual fatigue caused by long-term driving. In response to the hygienic needs in special periods, the addition of UVC LED disinfection solutions builds an invisible line of health defense for drivers and passengers.

Intelligent Cockpit

Long-term goal: to become an automotive optoelectronic application solution provider

When asked about Nationstar Optoelectronics’ future blueprint for the automotive field, Dr. Lan Mingwen said that Nationstar Optoelectronics’ long-term goal is to become an automotive optoelectronic application solution provider. By continuing to implement the FAITH business philosophy of Guangsheng Holding Group, Nationstar Optoelectronics is using its solid R&D strength and open ecological thinking to build every beam of light into a commitment to safety and an exquisite experience.

In this process, Nationstar Optoelectronics is not only a technology innovator, but also a key representative in the trend of domestic substitution in the Chinese automobile industry. Facing the future, Nationstar will continue to empower the global automobile industry with Chinese wisdom, letting the light of domestic products warm every smart travel journey. (Text: LEDinside Irving)

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