This week we bring you an in-depth paper from Dr. Michael Hamm, who is leaving AL to head to Audi. Also this week: news on the Opel strategy with matrix beam. So it’s an interesting week, with one of our field’s brilliant experts moving from one great company to another, and interesting new developments in a technology nearly ready for market. These two papers, taken together, emphasise the current picture of automakers—primarily premium car makers—investing in research and pressing forward with the commercialisation of the resultant innovations. These innovations are increasingly complex and intricate; lighting is now a system with special light sources, special optics, special components, cameras, automatic mechatronics, all coördinated by sophisticated software.
Of course, with increased system intricacy comes increased consequence of failure. A problem with a component, a bug in the software, or another glitch can lead to big issues with very expensive recalls in the short term and very costly repairs once the vehicle is out of warranty. For this reason, we will see more and more car makers seeking high level resources to ensure the successful rollout and acquisition of a good reputation for their driver vision systems. The takeaway message is one I wrote about several months ago: lighting suppliers and car makers are wise to heed the great need for skill, talent, expertise, and passion in their driver vision system engineering and deployment.
Please also note that the report on Geneva Auto Show is now available.
2012 Geneva was not the best motor show ever, but there were some interesting production cars including the Mercedes A-Class, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, Hyundai i40, Peugeot 208, and some concept cars like the Bertone Nuccio, Giugiaro Brivido, Hyundai i-Oniq , Nissan Invitation and Hi Cross, and SsangYong XIV which deserve to be seen. Download and read the report!
DVN General editor