Valeo wins contract for innovative all-in-one Rain Light Tunnel sensor

Frankfurt, Germany, September 15 -- Valeo announced a contract for a compact Rain Light Tunnel (RLT) sensor system that will contribute to safety for all road users on rainy days, at twilight and going through tunnels.

Valeo's RLT sensor system is the first to be integrated in the base of a rear-view mirror, where it unobtrusively has a clear view of the sky, road ahead and the windshield. A European luxury car manufacturer chose the patented RLT sensor for a model due in production 2005. The contract will contribute to Valeo's growing sensor business currently worth over 250 million euros and which includes a range of sensor types.

By automatically switching on the low beams when nighttime falls or when entering a tunnel, the RLT sensor ensures safer driving conditions for both driver and other road users. In addition, driver distraction is reduced because the RLT system adjusts windshield wipers automatically with the intensity of the rainfall, so drivers need not fumble for controls or constantly adjust the pace of wipers.

"This contract win proves the market potential of increasing safety and comfort and reducing a driver's distractions, such as locating and activating switches," said Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. "Our engineers and technicians have also raised the general level of highway courtesy, as a car with a RLT sensor system will not forget to turn on headlights at dusk."

The inputs of several sensor elements, each with a different purpose, are analysed by an onboard microcontroller that determines the environmental conditions and sends appropriate signals to windshield wipers and headlights.

The tunnel function operating in visible and infra-red light is reliable in some extreme weather conditions with no false activations. The rain and light/tunnel modules share the same microprocessor and exchange information for enhanced automatic functions. For example heavy rain will also lead to switching on the headlamps.

The sophisticated programming behind such intelligence is a result of Valeo's long experience in each of the critical areas - windshield wiper systems, forward lighting and sensor-based vision systems. In the "Seeing and Being Seen" Domain, engineers from each competence worked on the project.

Valeo's expertise in packaging constraints and its collaboration with a rear view mirror manufacturer led to the integration of the RLT sensor systems into the base of the rear view mirror, where it frees up valuable interior space. There is no danger that a carelessly tossed newspaper or parking ticket will cover up the sensors, and car designers do not have to consider the presence of sensors on dashboards.

Valeo sensors, wiper and lighting systems can now provide a 360 degree view of the car's environment, with backward-looking Ultrasonic Park Assist, sideways-looking Blind-Spot Detection and Parking Slot Measurement, and forward-looking infrared night vision and videobased Lane Departure Warning system. The continuous search for improvement will certainly lead to further integration, because keeping both wipers and lights adjusted in difficult situations is a safety feature as well as a convenience for the driver.

Valeo is exhibiting at the 60th IAA International Motor Show on stand D02 in hall 8.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 130 plants, 54 R&D centers, 9 distribution centers and employs 69,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.