On 24 November, I was invited to Munich airport with other international print and TV journalists for a presentation of Audi’s latest active safety systems. Lighting and ADAS are now closely linked in active safety systems. Steffen Berlitz, Audi’s head of lighting research, was in charge of presenting the lighting innovations.
I was very impressed especially by
• The physical environment of the presentations. Great light tunnel with cars equipped with last technologies, products, nicely finished prototypes supporting these technologies, all focused to give a positive vision of lighting;
• The cutting-edge aspect of the various technologies, whether at an early development stage as OLED, matrix light, intelligent foglights, MID “moulded interconnected devices” technology, or at a more advanced stage like headlight control unit with the optional MMI navigation, night vision with pedestrian detection, and all the features in relation with styling;
• The interest of the journalists very keen to get information on lighting and convinced that lighting is a safety feature; and
• The involvement of the highest levels of Audi presenting every day during one week their lighting technologies.
This event is a shining exemplar for all car makers. All of them, including generalist car makers, should communicate on lighting. Lighting is one of the unique function of a car which integrates simultaneously safety, styling and energy savings.
The lighting community say thank you to all these car maker teams working to promote lighting not only for the sake of lighting but for the interest of their company.
For more information on the event, read this week’s in-depth report.
DVN General Editor