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The initiating factors behind the research were Volkswagen's Design Department's wish to receive computer support as well as a NPRM from NHTSA. Vehicle parameters (headlamp height, distance between headlamps, headlamp photometric data), were incorporated into a computer program resulting in a computer display showing illumination of the road surface and various targets. The total results of the computer calculations were compared to free-field measurements performed under exactly the same conditions. Insights gained from these investigations prove decisive as far as the direction in which future work should proceed and what can be incorporated therefrom in standards and regulations.

In the middle of 2006, the first car equipped with an intelligent AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) headlamp went into serial production and has, until now, generated a very positive reaction in the press all over the world. The different AFS beam patterns in this car are generated by a Xenon AFS projector module, which works in combination with a swiveling actuator system. One of the big innovative steps in automotive front-lighting technology that is soon to be released is the introduction of the LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a new light source for headlamp applications. The benchmark for this new light source technology is of course the well accepted performance level of today's HID headlamp systems. On the one hand, it is very important to achieve the HID performance level in terms of luminous flux, peak intensities, distribution characteristics, homogeneity and other positive attributes.

The paper focuses on an optimization methodology, which uses Design of Experiments (DoE) methods to define component parameters of parallel hybrid powertrains such as number of gears, transmission spread, gear ratios, progression factor, electric motor power, electric motor nominal speed, battery voltage and cell capacity. Target is to find the optimal configuration based on specific customer targets (e.g. fuel consumption, performance targets). In the method developed here, the hybrid drive train configuration and the combustion engine are considered as fixed components. The introduced methodology is able to reduce development time and to increase output quality of the early system definition phase. The output parameters are used as a first hint for subsequently performed detailed component development. The methodology integrates existing software tools like AVL CRUISE [5] and AVL CAMEO [1].

A main requirement for a driver assisting automated parking system is the identification and localisation of a free parking spot. A sensory system consisting of a reverse aid camera, a processing unit, vehicle track sensors and a link to the vehicles CAN-Bus is able to detect a parking spot, using vision processing algorithms. This report starts with a case differentiation regarding parking situations. In reality a combination between several attributes and conditions define the initial parking situation and the specific demand on the sensory system to detect the parking spot. The described method for camera vision based parking spot detection is characterised on specific situations, such as parking spots marked by painted lines and the kerbstone and well lighted rich-contrast situations. The method in general starts with the image processing on the incoming camera images.

In addition to the integration of new light sources, the main task for the creation of innovative competitive systems in the area of motor vehicle lighting will be found in the intelligent adaptation of the technical parameters and characteristics of lighting to different conditions of use and environment. In the frontlighting sector, cornering light that switches on automatically and dynamic bend lighting are already being used in series applications. Probably as soon as next year, variable beam patterns will allow adaptation of the frontlighting to different types of roads. In the case of combination rear lamps, a system has been developed that allows adaptation to environmental brightness and visibility conditions. An improved signalling effect is also guaranteed by the dynamic stop signal, which is already being used in series applications. As far as interior lighting is concerned, adaptive controls can contribute to more relaxed and safer driving by adapting brightness.

Since the issuance of the SAE Paper 820 487 in Spring 82 some requirements and standards have been either newly issued, amended, changed or updated. Aerodynamic headlamps with replaceable halogen bulbs and center high mounted stoplamps have been introduced to mention some important changes. This presentation is a compilation of the current requirements and standards and shows the status of their harmonizations.