The first DVN Lighting Think Tank took place in Stuttgart on 5 July and included a pre-event dinner at the invitation of DVN. Stuttgart was also the place of the very first DVN event 15 years ago (with just nine participants!).
This seminar was a successful test for intended future small working events about issues and items the lighting community needs clarification and joint discussion on. This time, the US ADB rules were in the foreground, because the latest NHTSA publication is full of riddles. Michael Hamm brought some light into the dark in his unique way of putting things in a nutshell. Hector Fratty took charge of the session on other-than-front lighting, including side projections and logo illumination and the associated international rules and regulations. Me, I led the third part about the new front ends which are expected to integrate lighting components and the grill in the next generation premium electric vehicles. The afternoon was used to work in three groups—ADB; new front, new rear—specifically to clarify the legal requirements and the needs of potential new (or changed) requirements of the three themes. The DVN compliance Statement was read before the working part.
DVN will publish all results after sorting out the large amount of material to create an overview. This was a trial run with 40 invited people, which we think is the right size for such an interactive format. The feedback of the participants was great; the only wish for following events was more time for discussion. In our agenda we planned one hour for discussion, but it took 90 minutes, and we could have used another hour.
The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel beside the Mercedes Benz Museum was a perfect venue. We used four different rooms, all perfectly equipped and without any technical or organisational problems. Five invited guests could not attend because of illness, a great problem these days.
All in all, we can say that this seminar exceeded our (high) expectations and set the stage for many more such events.
The DVN Study is just released. You can immediately receive the electronic version and one week later, three booklets. More information at www.drivingvisionnews.com
