After visiting Japan two weeks ago, last week I was in Germany to continue preparations for the Tokyo DVN Workshop to be held on 18th–19th May. While I was there, I visited some German companies and particularely Hella in Lippstadt.
I had very interesting meetings with Steffen Pietzonka who showed me the comminication strategy of Hella, with Michael Kleinkes who presented me his future technology, and Kamislav Fadel with whom I talked about the future of automotive lighting. I will publish soon his thoughtful comments on his past experience and his future vision. I also was impressed by the multi-row chips technology developed for the new Mercedes E-Class, and numerous other impressive lighting achievements and innovation.
Our job—our field—is totally changing. After the breakthrough of matrix beam, the next breakthrough about ADB came only 3 years later. We are able now to change lighting performances by software! Unbelievable, the pace and acceleration of lighting progress in less than a decade. Especially when we recall that a comparable pair of innovations in the past were separated by most of a decade: halogen bulbs with one filament in 1962 (H1), then with two filaments not until 1971 (H4). I strongly regret leaving my job at Valeo so early, though I worked there since 1966; There are so many things to achieve in automotive lighting!
But I certainly don’t regret starting DVN after I left Valeo. Watch for my In-depth paper coming soon on the E-Class lighting. And the DVN workshop in Tokyo will showcase, present, and elucidate these achievements. Most of the set makers will be presenting their innovations, and I am convinced this workshop will be a fantastic one. See the program in this week’s news, mark your calendars, download the detailed presentation Flyer of the event with practical information, and sign up to attend. We’re putting together a fantastic Workshop so your attendance will be a wise, productive use of your time. See you there!
Sincerely yours
DVN Editor in Chief