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Engineering Group at Ilmenau
University of Technology in Munich
looked at this phenomenon in an
automotive interior lighting study in
2009. Participants in the study drove
in a simulated environment where
the ambient lighting was changed
in position, color and brightness.
After the simulation was completed,
participants were questioned on how
they felt, and their emotional state
was measured at the beginning and
the end of each test.
The study looked at a large variety
of different factors that may have an
impact on the emotions of the driver.
As well as the color of the lighting,
the study looked at the shape of
the lighting and the materials that
made up the lighting installation. It
also looked at the feelings that the
lighting designs intended to convey
– a feeling of luxury, or sport for
example. Some of the participants
were tested with either blue or
orange lighting. Each of the two
color had benefits and drawbacks.
For example, blue lighting made it
easier for drivers to navigate the
interior of the vehicle. Instruments
were easier to see and controls
easier to find, which gave the driver
a better feeling of orientation. The
major downside to the blue lighting
was that it made the participants
feel uncomfortable. The orange light
had a completely different effect on
drivers – it gave them the perception
of luxury and quality. With both test
lighting colors, participants became
more distracted when driving as the
intensity increased.
The survey results also found that
ambient lighting was very important
in its ability to reduce driver fatigue
and therefore increase safety while
driving at night. The tests also found
that well-designed ambient lighting
could foster appreciation of the
vehicle, while enhancing positive
feelings for the brand itself. Good
ambient lighting could make the
driver feel the car was roomier and
built from better quality materials.
Benefiting from Interior
Ambient Lighting
Today, especially in higher-end
vehicles, ambient lighting is designed
by manufacturers to almost become
a fashion accessory. Vehicles from
major manufacturers, such as
BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar and
Automotive
Special Edition
Figure 1: Ambient lighting is now incorporated into innovative turn- and brake-lighting applications,
backlit displays, occupancy detection, night vision, and more
New-Tech Magazine Europe l 51