Mercedes-Benz debuts Europe's largest headlight test center
Inside Europe's largest headlight testing center by Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz debuts Europe's largest headlight test center
Inside Mercedes-Benz's Immendingen headlight test center, Europe's largest, teams simulate rain, fog, glare to perfect DIGITAL LIGHT for safer night driving.
2025-10-03T14:11:55+03:00
2025-10-03T14:11:55+03:00
2025-10-03T14:11:55+03:00
Mercedes-Benz is leaning into headlight innovation with a new testing center in Immendingen, Germany. Two years and €10.5 million went into construction, and the payoff is clear: Europe’s largest facility of its kind can replicate virtually any night-driving scenario in a fully controlled environment.Stretching 135 meters in length and 8 meters in height, the building encloses what is essentially a full road, complete with real pavement and lane markings. Engineers can evaluate up to five vehicles at once, dialing in conditions such as rain, fog, oncoming glare, or even the sudden appearance of a pedestrian. That breadth of control helps them fine-tune DIGITAL LIGHT systems with micro-LEDs and ultra-long-range high beam with pinpoint accuracy.The center plugs into Mercedes’ vast proving ground: 520 hectares with more than 80 kilometers of routes that mimic highways from different countries, mountain switchbacks, and even an artificial sun. The company now conducts 80% of its testing here, saving time and cutting emissions. A particular focus is the digital twin: every track and lab is mirrored in a virtual model, allowing thousands of scenarios to be vetted before a prototype ever reaches public roads.Headlights today are no longer mere illumination; they’re integral safety tech. They can prevent glare for oncoming drivers, highlight pedestrians, and project guidance directly onto the asphalt. The new center is designed to make sure such features operate flawlessly, making night driving safer and more comfortable—a pragmatic step that should translate into confidence after dark.
Mercedes-Benz, headlight testing center, Immendingen, Europe's largest lab, DIGITAL LIGHT, micro-LED headlights, ultra-long-range high beam, digital twin, night driving safety, glare-free, pedestrian detection
2025
Michael Powers
news
Inside Europe's largest headlight testing center by Mercedes-Benz
Inside Mercedes-Benz's Immendingen headlight test center, Europe's largest, teams simulate rain, fog, glare to perfect DIGITAL LIGHT for safer night driving.
Michael Powers, Editor
Mercedes-Benz is leaning into headlight innovation with a new testing center in Immendingen, Germany. Two years and €10.5 million went into construction, and the payoff is clear: Europe’s largest facility of its kind can replicate virtually any night-driving scenario in a fully controlled environment.
Stretching 135 meters in length and 8 meters in height, the building encloses what is essentially a full road, complete with real pavement and lane markings. Engineers can evaluate up to five vehicles at once, dialing in conditions such as rain, fog, oncoming glare, or even the sudden appearance of a pedestrian. That breadth of control helps them fine-tune DIGITAL LIGHT systems with micro-LEDs and ultra-long-range high beam with pinpoint accuracy.
The center plugs into Mercedes’ vast proving ground: 520 hectares with more than 80 kilometers of routes that mimic highways from different countries, mountain switchbacks, and even an artificial sun. The company now conducts 80% of its testing here, saving time and cutting emissions. A particular focus is the digital twin: every track and lab is mirrored in a virtual model, allowing thousands of scenarios to be vetted before a prototype ever reaches public roads.
Headlights today are no longer mere illumination; they’re integral safety tech. They can prevent glare for oncoming drivers, highlight pedestrians, and project guidance directly onto the asphalt. The new center is designed to make sure such features operate flawlessly, making night driving safer and more comfortable—a pragmatic step that should translate into confidence after dark.
