AAH #778 - Blinded by The Light? Gentex Tackles The #1 Driver Complaint
About this episode
Headlamp glare is the focus as Gentex Corporation's Craig Pierres discusses the growing frustration among drivers regarding modern headlight technologies. Research reveals that a significant portion of drivers feel dazzled by bright LED headlights, prompting calls for tighter regulations. The episode also features discussions on vehicle ergonomics, including the challenges of digital displays in cars, and personal vehicle experiences from the hosts. Notable insights into the balance between safety and driver comfort make for an engaging conversation.
Volvo EX30
"I am driving a Volvo EX thirty extended range single motor. Vehicle. Yeah, up comes down? What do you think sideway?"
The Volvo EX30 is a new electric car from Volvo that can drive longer distances on a single charge. It's designed to be stylish and has a lot of tech features inside.
The Volvo EX30 is an electric vehicle that offers an extended range and is designed for efficiency and performance. It features a modern design and advanced technology, making it a notable entry in the electric SUV market.
Chevrolet Blazer
"I'm driving my wife's twenty nineteen Blazer. Not too exciting, JOHNA."
The Chevrolet Blazer is a type of SUV that was redesigned in 2019. It's known for its stylish look and comfortable interior, making it a good option for driving around town or on longer trips.
The Chevrolet Blazer is a mid-size SUV that combines sporty styling with practicality. The 2019 model features a range of engines and modern technology, making it a versatile choice for families and individuals alike.
Cadillac ELR
"It's a lovely car. She loves it to death. The ELR is my Cadillac, the Extended Range Luxury Cadillac version of the Volt..."
The Cadillac ELR is a fancy car that runs on both electricity and gasoline. It's designed to be more eco-friendly while still offering a luxurious feel and look.
The Cadillac ELR is a luxury plug-in hybrid coupe that combines electric and gasoline power. It features a stylish design and advanced technology, aimed at providing a premium driving experience while being more environmentally friendly.
inline six cylinder engine
"our viewers will know. It's got an inline six cylinder engine. It's got this beautiful almost cashmere cloth on the instrument panel, which looks sensational."
An inline six cylinder engine has six engine parts that help it run, lined up in a row. This design makes the engine run smoothly and gives it good power.
An inline six cylinder engine is a type of internal combustion engine with six cylinders arranged in a straight line. This configuration is known for its smooth operation and balance, providing good power and torque characteristics.
Mazda MX-5 / Miata
"...you can get a charge out of the MX-5, a Miata. I mean you can't have it as a daily driver..."
The Mazda MX-5, often called the Miata, is a small sports car that is very fun to drive. It's known for being light and quick.
The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is a lightweight two-seater sports car celebrated for its agile handling and fun driving experience.
Mazda 3
"...driving a Mazda3, right, I mean it's just like it's a daily driver as well as something you can get a..."
The Mazda3 is a small car that many people enjoy driving every day. It's fun to drive and looks good too.
The Mazda3 is a compact car known for its sporty handling and stylish design. It's popular for both daily driving and performance-oriented versions.
Audi S5
"...what are you driving? I have an Audi S5 that I'm driving, no nice performance car."
The Audi S5 is a sporty car that offers a lot of power and style. It's great for driving every day and also fun to drive fast.
The Audi S5 is a high-performance version of the Audi A5, featuring a powerful engine and sporty design, making it suitable for both everyday use and spirited driving.
LED headlamps
"At the same time, there's research that says it helps reduce accidents, thus making things safer. At the same time,"
LED headlamps are lights on cars that use special technology to shine brighter and last longer than regular lights. They help drivers see better at night and in bad weather.
LED headlamps are a type of automotive lighting that uses light-emitting diodes to illuminate the road. They are known for their energy efficiency, longevity, and ability to produce a bright, white light that enhances visibility compared to traditional halogen bulbs.
Gentex
"some of the research I've done of late and obviously biased being from Gentex, which makes automatic to MKE mirrors, but the research I've done shown that glare has reached epidemic proportions."
Gentex makes special mirrors for cars that can automatically darken to reduce glare from other vehicles' headlights, making it easier to see while driving at night.
Gentex is a company that specializes in manufacturing automatic dimming mirrors and other automotive technologies. Their products help reduce glare from headlights and improve driving safety at night.
automatic dimming mirror
"...especially that passenger side automatic dimming mirror. Right, So our salespeople say, hey, you know, do some more research..."
An automatic dimming mirror is a special mirror in cars that can change its darkness level to help reduce the bright lights from cars behind you. This makes it easier to see when you're driving at night.
An automatic dimming mirror is a type of rearview mirror that adjusts its tint to reduce glare from headlights of vehicles behind you. This feature enhances night driving safety by minimizing distractions caused by bright lights.
FIA
"...FIA in Europe, everybody I think is familiar with FIA, International Automobile Federation that runs global..."
The FIA is an organization that makes the rules for car racing around the world, like Formula 1. They help keep races safe and fair.
The FIA, or Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, is the governing body for many motorsport events worldwide, including Formula 1. It oversees regulations, safety standards, and the organization of various racing series.
fog lamps
"What about fog. I've always had a problem with people driving around with their fog lamps side and some of them are too damn bright, right, I think they're just driving around because they look cool, not because there's fog out."
Fog lamps are lights on cars that help you see better when it's foggy. They shine a wide beam of light close to the ground so you can see the road without blinding other drivers.
Fog lamps are specialized lights designed to illuminate the road immediately in front of a vehicle during foggy conditions. They emit a wide, bar-shaped beam of light that helps improve visibility without causing glare for other drivers.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard
"I agree with you go into that because I know with regular headlamps there is a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard for headlamp cut off. I mean, you know, with"
These are rules set by the government to make sure cars are safe. They include guidelines for how bright and well-directed car headlights should be.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are regulations in the United States that set safety requirements for motor vehicles and vehicle equipment. These standards ensure that vehicles meet minimum safety performance requirements, including aspects related to lighting such as headlamp cut-off.
LED technology
"Yeah, I mean it's inherent with LEDs in the way you can organize them in a matrix that you can do these things where you can have a cut off line like that. But you know, the LED technology is about three hundred percent brighter than halogens."
LEDs are a modern type of light that uses less energy and lasts longer than older lights like halogen bulbs. They are much brighter and can be arranged in different ways to create specific lighting effects.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology is a type of lighting that uses semiconductor materials to produce light. LEDs are known for their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and brightness compared to traditional lighting technologies like halogen bulbs.
automatic dimming rearview mirror
"So clearly you know, Gentex invented and continues to be the largest supplier of automatic dimming rearview mirrors. So this is the rear word glare. So this uses two cameras..."
An automatic dimming rearview mirror is a special type of mirror in cars that gets darker when bright lights, like headlights from cars behind you, shine on it. This helps you see better at night without being blinded by those lights.
An automatic dimming rearview mirror adjusts its tint based on the amount of light detected from behind the vehicle, helping to reduce glare from headlights of vehicles behind you. This technology enhances driving safety during nighttime or low-light conditions.
microprocessor
"...that searches for glare, and then it talks to each other via a microprocessor and darkens a gel in the mirror..."
A microprocessor is like a tiny computer that helps control how things work in electronic devices. In this case, it helps the mirror know when to get darker to reduce glare from lights behind you.
A microprocessor is a small computing device that performs calculations and controls functions in electronic systems. In the context of the automatic dimming mirror, it processes information from the cameras to adjust the mirror's tint.
adaptive drive beam
"Yeah, it's it's called the typically adaptive drive beam is the overall term for that. It's been available in Europe for many years."
Adaptive drive beam is a type of headlight technology that changes how bright the lights are based on what's in front of the car. It helps drivers see better without bothering other drivers with too much light.
Adaptive drive beam technology allows headlamps to adjust their light output based on oncoming traffic, improving visibility without blinding other drivers. This system uses sensors and cameras to detect vehicles and adjust the light pattern accordingly.
Rivian R1T
"...I don't know if the one that you're talking about is Rivian, but yeah, we just drove a Rivian R1T and it had that, and we didn't even know that until we started driving it, and I was like, oh my god, look at that. It worked terrifically well."
The Rivian R1T is a new electric truck that can drive off-road and has cool features. It's different from regular trucks because it runs on electricity instead of gas.
The Rivian R1T is an all-electric pickup truck known for its innovative features and off-road capabilities. It offers a unique design and advanced technology, making it a notable player in the electric vehicle market.
Audi
"...even my Audie, that version of that vehicle over in Europe's got adaptive drive beam. I think they call it,..."
Audi is a car brand from Germany that makes fancy cars. They are known for being high-quality and having cool technology inside them.
Audi is a German automotive manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and advanced technology. The brand is part of the Volkswagen Group and is recognized for its performance, design, and innovative features.
adaptive cruise control
"...sorry, you know, your forward collision warning, your adaptive cruise control, et cetera, et cetera. None of it works."
Adaptive cruise control helps your car maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you by automatically changing your speed. It makes highway driving easier by adjusting your speed without you having to do it manually.
Adaptive cruise control is an advanced driver assistance system that automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. It uses sensors to detect the speed and distance of other vehicles, allowing for a more relaxed driving experience, especially on highways.
forward collision warning
"...sorry, you know, your forward collision warning, your adaptive cruise control, et cetera, et cetera. None of it works."
Forward collision warning helps you avoid crashes by warning you if you're getting too close to the car in front of you. It uses sensors to watch the road ahead and lets you know if you need to slow down.
Forward collision warning is a safety feature that alerts the driver if a collision with a vehicle or obstacle ahead is imminent. It typically uses cameras and sensors to monitor the road ahead and can provide visual or audible warnings to prevent accidents.
matrix headlamps
"...if we mandated today that every vehicle had to have these matrix headlamps, it would be twenty years before every vehicle had..."
Matrix headlamps are special headlights that can adjust their light patterns. They help you see better at night without blinding other drivers by turning off parts of the light when there's a car coming towards you.
Matrix headlamps are advanced lighting systems that use multiple individual LEDs to create a customizable beam pattern. This technology allows for better illumination of the road while preventing glare for oncoming drivers by selectively dimming sections of the light.
adaptive driving
"Europe where that IFIA study was done, adaptive driving has a much higher take right, And still it's a problem as we're seeing in Europe. And you know, one of the things that you know I mentioned is like how angry people have become about this this on this topic of Claire."
Adaptive driving means that some cars can change how they drive based on what's happening around them, like slowing down when there's traffic or keeping you in your lane automatically.
Adaptive driving refers to systems in vehicles that adjust driving dynamics based on conditions, enhancing safety and comfort. This includes features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.
Ford F-150
"...that will be dependent on the volume of that vehicle, right, so it might work out for something, you know, like an F-150 where they're making a million of them a year..."
The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck known for being tough and reliable. It's often used for work and can carry heavy loads or tow trailers.
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck that is part of Ford's F-Series line. Known for its durability and versatility, it is one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States, often used for both work and personal purposes.
aftermarket
"...our true aftermarket portion of our business is pretty small. Most of our when we say after market, we're still talking about dealer accessory programs..."
Aftermarket means parts or accessories for cars that are made by companies other than the original car manufacturer. These can be used to improve performance or change the look of the car.
The aftermarket refers to the secondary market of parts, accessories, and modifications for vehicles that are not sourced directly from the original manufacturer. This can include anything from performance upgrades to cosmetic enhancements.
digital rearview mirror
"...you guys are also big in. The digital rearview mirrors. Yeah, what's going on in that space? ...functions as a normal mirror when you wanted to just a standard reflective surface but throw a switch and illuminates..."
A digital rearview mirror is a modern version of the regular mirror that shows what's behind your car using a camera. It can switch between being a regular mirror and showing a video feed.
A digital rearview mirror replaces the traditional reflective mirror with a display screen that can show a video feed from a rear-facing camera. This technology enhances visibility and can provide a clearer view of what's behind the vehicle, especially when the rear window is obstructed.
digital mirror
"...we're doing some cool things where you put the vehicle in reverse, we can digitally pan that downward so that it makes reversing more natural with a digital mirror..."
A digital mirror is a type of car mirror that uses cameras instead of glass to show what's behind you. It can change the view to help you see better when you're driving, especially in different situations.
A digital mirror uses cameras and screens to provide a view of the area behind and beside the vehicle, rather than relying on traditional reflective glass. This technology can enhance visibility and safety by adjusting the view based on driving conditions.
blind zone alert
"...if there's something in your side blind zone, so if there's a car alongside you, we tie it into the car side blind zone alert..."
A blind zone alert is a safety feature in cars that warns you if there's a car in your blind spot, which is the area you can't see in your mirrors. It helps you avoid accidents when changing lanes.
A blind zone alert system uses sensors to detect vehicles in the driver's blind spots and alerts the driver, often through visual or audible signals. This technology enhances safety by helping to prevent collisions during lane changes.
field of view
"...we're going to shrink that view up in the mirror a little bit, just so things aren't whipping by the sides of the mirror..."
Field of view is how much you can see from a certain point, like a car mirror. In cars, it can change based on how fast you're going or where you're driving to help you see better.
Field of view refers to the extent of the observable area that can be seen at any given moment. In automotive contexts, adjusting the field of view can enhance driver awareness and safety by providing a broader or narrower perspective based on speed and surroundings.
Triumph TR4A
"I chose that car for the class that was in at the time in SECA. My dad helped me borrow some money. I picked it up in England..."
The Triumph TR4A is a small sports car made by a British company called Triumph. It was popular in the 1960s and is known for being fun to drive.
The Triumph TR4A is a classic British sports car produced in the 1960s, known for its performance and design. It was often used in amateur racing and has a strong enthusiast following.
Chevrolet Camaro
"... sixties, And then what about the story about the Camaro was designed and developed to compete with that, ..."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty car that was made to compete with another popular car called the Ford Mustang. It's known for being fun to drive and has a cool design, which makes it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car that was introduced in 1966 as a response to the Ford Mustang. It quickly became known for its performance, style, and affordability, making it a significant player in the pony car segment.
Ford Mustang
"Okay, what is the story behind the creation of the first Ford Mustang, you know, way back in nineteen in the early sixties, And then what about the story about the Camaro was designed and developed to compete with that,"
The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car that started being made in the 1960s. It's famous for being fast and stylish, and many people love it.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car that was first introduced in the early 1960s. It became an icon of American automotive culture, known for its performance and style.
Pontiac Firebird
"...h that, And then the next story is what about the Firebird and the Mercury Cougar to compete with those. But..."
The Pontiac Firebird is a sporty car that was made from the late 1960s until the early 2000s. It's known for being fast and having a unique look, which makes it popular with car lovers.
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American muscle car that was produced from 1967 to 2002, known for its performance and distinctive styling. It was often compared to the Chevrolet Camaro and has a loyal following among car enthusiasts.
Mercury Cougar
"... story is what about the Firebird and the Mercury Cougar to compete with those. But on this light, the hig..."
The Mercury Cougar is a car that was first made in the late 1960s and was meant to be a fancier version of the Ford Mustang. It has a stylish look and was known for being a nice car to drive.
The Mercury Cougar was a mid-size car introduced in 1967, originally designed as a luxury version of the Ford Mustang. It underwent several redesigns over the years and is remembered for its stylish design and performance.
Plymouth Barracuda
"...r one jumped in. You have the AMC Javelin and the Barracuda from Plymouth and the Challenger from Chrysler, a..."
The Plymouth Barracuda is a sporty car that was first made in the 1960s and is known for its cool design. It was one of the first cars in a group called pony cars, which are fun and fast.
The Plymouth Barracuda, introduced in 1964, is one of the earliest pony cars, known for its sporty design and performance. It gained popularity for its unique styling and was a competitor to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.
Dodge Challenger
"...C Javelin and the Barracuda from Plymouth and the Challenger from Chrysler, all those inside stories because I..."
The Dodge Challenger is a big, powerful car that people love for its speed and style. It was first made in the 1970s and has come back in recent years, still being popular among car fans.
The Dodge Challenger is a muscle car that was first introduced in 1970, known for its powerful engines and aggressive styling. It has a rich history in American automotive culture and has been revived in recent years, continuing to compete with other classic muscle cars.
American Motors Corporation (Amc) Javelin
"...nd then the other one jumped in. You have the AMC Javelin and the Barracuda from Plymouth and the Challenge..."
The AMC Javelin is a sporty car made by a company called AMC from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. It was designed to be fun to drive and compete with other popular cars at the time.
The AMC Javelin is a pony car that was produced by American Motors Corporation from 1967 to 1974, known for its sporty performance and distinctive design. It was developed to compete with other muscle cars of the era and has a dedicated fan base.
Chevrolet Corvette
"..., I was in a training program and I worked in the corvette group at Chievrolet for a few months as a trainee..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fancy sports car that's been around for a long time, starting in the 1950s. It's known for being very fast and stylish, and many people see it as a top car in America.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car that has been in production since 1953. Known for its high performance and sleek design, the Corvette represents a blend of luxury and speed, making it a symbol of American automotive excellence.
Dodge Omni
"...rk with Chrysler at the time. Right, remember the Omni Horizon g LA Carol, Right, that's right. So he sh..."
The Dodge Omni is a small car that was made in the 1980s and was popular because it was affordable and easy to drive. It was one of the first cars from Dodge to have the engine in the front and the wheels in the front too.
The Dodge Omni was a compact car produced in the 1980s, known for its practicality and affordability. It was one of the first front-wheel-drive cars from Dodge and contributed to the brand's success during that era.
Toyota Prius
"...en they did the VOLT, which was the answer to the prius supposedly the extended range. Okay, you can you ..."
The Toyota Prius is a special car that uses both gas and electricity to drive, which helps save fuel and is better for the environment. It was one of the first cars to be really popular for being green and efficient.
The Toyota Prius is a pioneering hybrid vehicle that debuted in the late 1990s, known for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly design. It played a significant role in popularizing hybrid technology and remains a symbol of environmentally conscious driving.
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