Gentex Corporation, the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has announced that its SmartBeam® High-Beam Headlamp Assist system - called "Fernlichtassistent" (FLA) by Audi - will be offered this spring on the Audi A4, A5 and Q7. The FLA feature will be available on Audi models in the UK and continental Europe as an option in conjunction with Bi-Xenon headlamps.

SmartBeam uses a miniature camera-on-a-chip combined with algorithmic decision making to automatically turn a vehicle's high beams "on" and "off" according to surrounding traffic conditions. The system is designed to maximise forward lighting and to eliminate the repetitive task of turning the high beams on and off. SmartBeam is integrated into Gentex auto-dimming mirrors, which automatically darken to reduce glare from the headlamps of vehicles approaching from the rear.

"Research conducted with drivers in Europe and North America shows a very positive response to SmartBeam and we are very pleased that Audi is offering this active safety technology product on several of its best-selling vehicles," said Enoch Jen, Gentex senior vice president.

Gentex SmartBeam (2008)
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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 utilise 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.