The DVN Workshop of February 2014 was held at Paris, France with 220 attendees from OEMs, tier-1 and -2 suppliers, researchers, regulators, and individuals who develop, build, specify, and regulate vehicle lighting around the world. The participants exhibited a very high degree of excitement and future vision.
DVN asked worldwide experts to share their vision, predictions, and desires about automotive lighting technologies in the 2020-25 timeframe. Eighteen exceptionally stimulating presentations and three panel discussions illustrated how each contributor sees the technology and how they might be focusing their choices on investments in engineering, materials, people, and production.
In every presentation a common thread appeared: automotive lighting has dramatically changed over the years and its future will become more complex and interesting with styles continuing to become more diverse and innovative. Today in 2014, the design and creative styling is already greatly influencing how lighting will be engineered and in many cases, posing a significant engineering challenge to incorporate the visual cues of the design and deliver it to production. The challenges OEMs face in delivering future lighting innovation tied to their brands is daunting but poses a real opportunity for all.
After an opening greeting and welcome from DVN Editor in Chief Hector Fratty who outlined the workshop’s rubric and docket, five OEMs presented in the first session: Audi, BMW, Opel, Volkswagen, and Renault who shared their visions, concerns, and views of lighting innovation with emphasis on the fast and significant change and growth in this technology. This was followed by the keynote speech. A lively question-and-discussion period rounded out the first session.
Session 2 was primarily focused on six tier-1 suppliers: AL, Hella, Varroc, Koito, ZKW, and Valeo. They explained how the s peed of innovation will continue to increase, challenging everyone in term of resources, cost, time to market, and legislation. Static LED ADB System for glare-free high beam is the trend and the preferred solution for the future, though regulatory barriers remain (e.g., North America). New light sources such as OLED and laser on top of numerous LED sources will lead to an ever growing complexity which should lead to a standardisation of modules.
Session 3 started in the afternoon and the area of focus was the LED manufactures. Each shared a prediction of how LED light sources will evolve and grow in sophistication and how they must stay in step with the fast pace of design that keeps pushing innovation and product uniqueness. Global LED giants Nichia, Osram, and Philips touched on LED package designs, intelligent lighting sources, and the challenges of laser diodes and the significant interest in their possibilities. Later, a solid technical presentation from Chandrajit Basu (Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies) on laser technology and an interesting talk by Jacqueline Brückner (Centre for Organic Materials and Electronic Devices) on the possibilities for flexible OLED displays and how they might influence lighting. Finally, GTB President Geoff Draper made an excellent and visionary presentation about the challenges of international harmonisation of regulations. He warned of possible organisational changes which could affect regulatory processes and outlined the critical needs that must be addressed urgently.
This report summarises all 18 presentations, with links to the original lectures. At the end are pictures of attendees, exhibitors and speakers.