Fletcher Jones Volkswagen

Wolfsburg - An interdisciplinary team is developing innovative light systems for the future in the LichtLAB at the Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen (NFF) in Wolfsburg, which is a partnership between Volkswagen Group Research and the Technical University Braunschweig. The objective of the research activities, in particular, is to integrate new light technologies in active front headlight systems in order to provide the driver with the best possible vision, thus increasing safety.

In the LichtLAB, Volkswagen Group Research staff members work together with the Development departments from the Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda brands as well as scientists from the Institute of Computer Graphics at the TU Braunschweig. Determining the psychological effect of light on the driver is part of the basic research. This knowledge is incorporated in the development of a simulation tool for virtual night driving, which is able to portray realistically how, among other things, oncoming traffic is blinded by headlights. New light functions are then implemented in test vehicles as a prototype for the road tests.

Prof. Dr Jürgen Leohold, Head of Volkswagen Group Research, commented that "the vision behind these activities is to fully achieve adaptive light distribution, which will in future automatically adjust to all driving situations and eventualities, thus continually ensuring optimum vision and visibility in the vehicle. Our aim is to further sharpen the Volkswagen Group's competitive edge in the area of innovative lighting technologies. We are currently developing our skills in this important and strategic field of research in order to allow the coming years to deliver more surprises".

The lighting technology known as "headlight range control" in the new Audi A8 as well as the "dynamic light assist", which has been introduced in the Volkswagen Touareg, originated in Volkswagen Group Research.

By using the "dynamic light assist" around the world in the new Touareg and Phaeton vehicle models, Volkswagen features innovative lighting technology's high-end solution. The "dynamic light assist" is an entirely new dynamic main beam control system. It makes it possible to drive with the main beam left on without blinding oncoming traffic or drivers ahead of you. A camera on the interior mirror detects the exact position of the other road users; the masking function in each headlight is then separately activated electronically and the headlight main beams are slightly dimmed for the relevant area. As a result, the road illumination in general is improved. The "dynamic light assist" provides the means for a completely new feel for light, always optimally matched to the traffic situation.

Audi offers the function "headlight range control" as intelligent light technology in the new A8. A video camera on the interior mirror recognises oncoming traffic and vehicles ahead of you by their lighting and adjusts its own distributed cone of light accordingly. The result is a smooth transition that always allows as much illumination as possible.

The LichtLAB was established in February 2009 with the opening of the Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen (NFF) on the Mobile Life Campus Wolfsburg. Alongside the Volkswagen Group Research for Driver Assist Systems, other institutes involved with NFF include the TU Braunschweig and an institute that is part of the Leibniz University Hanover and another within the German Aerospace Center Braunschweig. Other research partners include the Technical University Clausthal, the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, the Braunschweig University of Arts and the University of Applied Science Braunschweig/ Wolfenbüttel as well as other renowned enterprises in the industry.

Source:
http://www.volkswagengroupamerica.com/media/2010/09/16_vwag_light_systems.htm