Great gains have been made recently in the quality, speed, accuracy, and precision of tools for visual simulation and virtual prototyping of things like car lights. The simulation session at the DVN Seoul Workshop demonstrated that very well. But physical prototyping remains necessary to support engineers' and designers' collaboration and for the production of concept cars.

Last month I visited Allio's prototyping shop close to Paris and I was impressed by their achievements and capabilities. Theirs is a special collection of jobs, done by experienced workers with special expertise and rare skills. In this week's DVN, we bring you a presentation of Allio's prototyping and mockup expertise in automobile lens modelling for headlamps, rear lights, and interior lighting. Known for their know-how and methodology, Allio are involved in the entire product development process from functional prototypes to design prototype, as well as final products particularly in small series (rapid manufacturing). All the world's set makers have their own prototyping workshops, but there are limitations on what can be achieved in-house; it is difficult to equal the expertise of a prototyping specialist like Allio or Hartmann can facilitate design projects and studies that wouldn't otherwise be practicable.

Also this week, we welcome to the DVN community Peterson Manufacturing, a venerable and innovative US-based vehicle safety lighting manufacturer. Peterson's product range has been expanding in very unique directions lately, including LED headlamps; watch for DVN coverage of this company's activities.

About the DVN Seoul Workshop coverage released last week: a glitch caused some lecture links not to work correctly. You now can find, in the Seoul Workshop section of DrivingVisionNews.com , the report and all lectures, booths, round tables, the attendee roster, and pictures.

Sincerely yours

DVN Editor in Chief