Gentex Develops New Microphone for the Automotive Industry

ZEELAND, Mich., Dec. 18 -- You already look in the mirror while driving, but soon you'll be talking to it, thanks in part to a new microphone technology integrated into your vehicle's interior rearview mirror.

Gentex Corporation , the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products, has developed a new microphone designed specifically for the automotive environment. With more and more automotive manufacturers looking to include hands-free cell phones, navigation systems and other voice- activated services in the vehicle, Gentex decided to engineer a custom microphone to support these functions.

``We found you can't simply modify a typical off-the-shelf microphone and think it's going to function properly in a vehicle,'' said Ken La Grand, Gentex's executive vice president. ``The automotive environment is just too harsh. So, about two years ago, we hired a complete microphone development team -- about 90 years of combined experience -- and set out to develop from scratch a high-performance microphone dedicated for use inside the vehicle.''

Several automotive manufacturers have already adopted the Gentex microphone technology and are currently working to integrate it into their vehicles. DaimlerChrysler was the first to announce that it will use a Gentex microphone as part of the Chrysler Group's recently announced hands-free, voice-recognition communications system, which the company plans to factory- install on various vehicles beginning in early 2003.

In order to accurately transmit the human voice, in-vehicle microphones have to account for road vibration, air movement, blower noise, electromagnetic noise generated by the vehicles own electrical currents, and additional sounds coming from the radio and other vehicle occupants. Automotive microphones also have to withstand moisture and extreme temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

To tackle these unique demands, Gentex's new, proprietary microphone technology incorporates a variety of design elements. For starters, Gentex's new microphone technology is completely water resistant. The entire microphone cavity is sealed to keep moisture out, and the Company has designed a special protective grill, or mesh screen, that sheds water away from the microphone element.

Because microphones work best when they're engineered to function within a specific, known environment, Gentex's microphone is integrated into the top of one of the Company's automatic-dimming rearview mirrors. Gentex is able to fine-tune the microphone's acoustical properties for optimum performance because rearview mirrors are in the driver's natural ``line-of-speech,'' and they're located in approximately the same position in every vehicle.

``By integrating the microphone into our mirrors, we also control the installation process, which means we know the microphone is going to function properly in the car,'' said La Grand. ``It also allows us to automate the assembly process, which further assures a quality product and yields predictable, consistent microphone performance characteristics.''

Air blowing from the vehicle's defroster can generate noise as it flows over a microphone. To prevent air- movement-induced disturbances, Gentex developed a proprietary air deflector that redirects air movement away from the microphone.

Microphones can also pick up unwanted interference from the vehicle's own electrical currents. Vehicle components such as alternators, power windows and sunroof motors can produce an electrical ``hum'' that can be picked up by a microphone. Gentex has developed a method of canceling the electromagnetic noise generated by the vehicle's own electrical currents.

Gentex's new microphone technology also exceeds automotive temperature- range specifications, and is protected against RF (radio frequency) signals generated by cell phones and other electronic devices.

La Grand believes Gentex's foray into the automotive microphone business shouldn't surprise anyone. ``Microphone development is a natural extension of our business because Gentex is first and foremost an electronics company,'' he said. ``Our specialty is delivering advanced electronic features through the rearview mirror. Our goal is to turn the mirror into a strategic electronic module, and since microphones are becoming an integral part of the vehicle, they're becoming an integral part of our business.''

Over the years, Gentex has integrated a variety of advanced electronic features into its mirrors, including compass and outside temperature displays, remote keyless entry receivers, light-emitting diode (LED) map lamps, headlamp control systems, telematics interfaces, TRIP functions and other electronic devices.

Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire protection market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic, automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS®) automotive rearview mirrors that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial applications.

Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry. The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry. Gentex OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Rover, Rolls Royce, Samsung Motors, SsangYong Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen. Gentex aftermarket/distributor customers include Gulf States Toyota Distributors, Mito Corporation, Southeast Toyota Distributors, Subaru Distributors NE and Toyota Motor Sales USA.

Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of four facilities in Zeeland, Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales and engineering subsidiaries in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and France; and four regional U.S. sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group. The Company is recognized for its quality products, its application of world class manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and maintaining a highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership of the Company's stock.