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Success of High-Beam Assist Feature Paves Way for New Headlamp Technologies
Gentex Ships One-Millionth Smartbeam(R) System; Announces New Functionality
| Source: Gentex Corporation
ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - May 4, 2009) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ : GNTX ), the leading
supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive
industry, announced today that it has shipped its one-millionth
SmartBeam®
High-Beam Assist system and expanded the SmartBeam product line to include
new levels of camera-based forward-lighting functionality.
SmartBeam is a first-of-its-kind headlamp automation feature that uses a
custom CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor and
algorithmic decision-making to automatically switch a vehicle's headlamps
between low and high beams according to surrounding traffic conditions.
Gentex began shipping SmartBeam systems in 2004, and today, the core
technology is available on 24 different vehicle models across Europe and
the U.S., with additional product launches planned for later this year.
"A number of years ago, we set out to become the leading supplier of
headlamp-assist camera systems, and this one-millionth SmartBeam system
milestone demonstrates that we are well on our way," said Fred Bauer,
Gentex chairman of the board and chief executive officer.
SmartBeam's success helped create a whole new category of adaptive lighting
technologies. The product's debut marked the first time a camera system
was used to optimize forward lighting, yet today, a number of auto
suppliers offer camera-based headlamp assist features, and virtually every
major automaker in Europe has announced plans for launching adaptive
lighting technologies on new vehicles.
The original SmartBeam automatically turns on a vehicle's high beams when
it's dark enough and no other vehicles are present. The system
automatically reverts the vehicle's headlamps to their low-beam state upon
detecting either the headlamps or taillamps of other vehicles. SmartBeam
can work with virtually any type of headlamp -- including Xenon, LED and
conventional halogen systems that either fade between low and high beams or
switch on/off instantly. Halogen headlamps currently account for
approximately 85 percent of the global headlamp market.
As a result of ongoing imager and software improvement initiatives, today's
SmartBeam is also capable of controlling the future generations of headlamp
systems.
For instance, the latest version of SmartBeam not only automates high- and
low-beam switching, but also can be used to produce continuously variable
low-beams. Many cars today come equipped with high-intensity discharge
headlamps that use self-leveling systems to automatically adjust the
headlamps according to cargo load and road inclination. SmartBeam
communicates with these dynamic-leveling systems to raise and lower the low
beams in order to maximize forward lighting according to surrounding
traffic conditions. This continuously variable system can also help
generate unique low-beam patterns for optimal forward illumination in towns
or on hills, motorways and rural roads.
SmartBeam can also be used to control "constant ON" high beams systems that
require next-generation headlamp hardware, which is currently being
developed by various headlamp manufacturers. For these future systems,
SmartBeam would generate "block-out" or "glare-free" zones around oncoming
and preceding traffic, allowing light to be cast around surrounding traffic
for maximum forward lighting.
"This new SmartBeam functionality is based on next-generation imagers, and
demonstrates our commitment to innovation within this core competency,"
said Gentex Senior Vice President Enoch Jen. "In addition, we have already
been awarded a future vehicle program that uses SmartBeam to not only
automate high-beam usage but also produce continuously variable low beams."
These new levels of functionality aren't the only reasons that Gentex
believes it has an edge over the competition. First and foremost is
experience. Light sensing and control features have been critical to the
Company's success since its inception in 1974 and, consequently, it has
nearly 35 years of experience in this niche field.
Gentex also has distinct packaging advantages. The Company integrates its
SmartBeam system in an automatic-dimming rearview mirror. Unlike other
camera systems that need to be mounted directly to the windscreen -- and
therefore have to be packaged specifically for every vehicle -- SmartBeam
resides in the mirror assembly, allowing a single packaging solution to
function across vehicle platforms. It's also arguably a more elegant
styling solution. And, because the camera is "off glass," it minimizes
potential warranty issues stemming from windscreen replacement and
improperly re-installed or misaimed cameras.
Lower cost is another Gentex advantage. The Company develops and
manufactures its own custom-designed, automotive-grade imagers. Instead of
purchasing relatively expensive, multi-purpose camera systems that include
unnecessary functionality, Gentex designs SmartBeam with the specific
performance necessary to achieve the desired application intent.
Furthermore, Gentex's management of the entire system -- imager, software
and packaging -- allows it to offer a superior performing product at a
lower total system cost. System improvements and adaptations are also less
complicated and can be made more rapidly.
"Automobile buyers today are inundated with new, high-tech
camera-controlled active safety features, but few if any provide the level
of comfort and safety benefits derived from optimized forward lighting,"
continued Jen. "The dangers associated with nighttime driving are
universal, which explains our emphasis on protecting and enhancing driver
vision."
Driving at night is inherently dangerous. A high percentage of accidents
with injuries and deaths occur at night, with low light levels a major
contributing factor. That's why Gentex and its SmartBeam system continue
to evolve and improve, providing automakers with highly functional,
cost-effective, elegantly packaged camera systems for optimizing any of
today's sophisticated headlamp systems.
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ : GNTX ) is an international
company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive
industry and North American fire protection market. Based in Zeeland,
Michigan, the Company develops, manufactures and markets interior and
exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize
proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of
headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. Many of the mirrors are
sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 96 percent of the
Company's revenues are derived from the sale of auto-dimming mirrors to
nearly every major automaker in the world.