Tech Today

Buckle Up and Drive

It’s almost impossible to have worked in the 12-volt industrywithout learning the name VOXX Electronics. This month,VOXX discusses its latest ADAS solutions and why retailersneed to get involved—if they haven’t already.

BY DAVE MACKINNON

It’s nearly impossible to have worked in the mobile electronics industry for any length of time and not known the name VOXX Electronics. Started initially as Audiovox in 1965, this instantly recognizable brand is known for its mobile electronics upgrades, vehicle security brands, and the leader in the rear seat entertainment market, as well as the innovator of ADAS products. In this issue of Tech Today, we’ll talk with Joe Dentamaro, Vice President of Vehicle Security for VOXX Electronics Corporation, about their ADAS solutions.

Finding the Vehicle Security Client

Joe and I started our conversation with an overview of the ADAS market. He pointed out that “new vehicle manufacturers do an amazing job of explaining how technologies like backup cameras and blind-spot monitoring systems make driving safer. What consumers don’t understand is that they don’t need to buy a new car to access these safety systems.” Joe went on to add, “the market

for safety upgrades opens up an entirely new client base for mobile electronics retailers. Retailers known for remote starters and audio upgrades can translate those same skills and talents directly into safety system installations. Clients passing down a vehicle to a son or daughter can upgrade those cars and SUVs easily. Marketing towards this category with the help of the Vision Zero Automotive Network brings new people through their doors and opportunities for an entirely new revenue stream. If a shop can install a radar detection system, then integrating collision avoidance solutions will be easy.”

Joe believes that retailers are comfortable with the benefits of adding a backup camera or parking sensors. With that said, the next push will be towards integrated blind-spot monitoring systems in cars and SUVs. VOXX’s Advent brand which is specifically targeted to Automotive dealers as well as recently acquired Rostra offers several aftermarket blind-spot monitoring solutions. These radar-based vehicle and object detection systems alert the driver to someone in an adjacent lane. The systems mimic factory-installed solutions by activating automatically when the car or SUV reaches 20 miles per hour thanks to the integrated GPS antenna. Joe pointed out that solutions like their ADVBSD30 include overtaking alerts. When the vehicle equipped with the system passes a car

The Gentex GENFDM3LN mirror features a full-width LCD screen that allows drivers to see what’s behind the vehicle, even when line-of-sightviewing is blocked. The system can be upgraded with a dedicated parking camera to make maneuvering safer and more efficient.

The ACA501D is a high-performance lip-mount backup camera that serves as a perfect addition to an aftermarket multimedia receiver or are placement for a failed factory-installed camera.

The Advent PSD100D parking sensor system is designed to make installation easy while offering a custom-tailored solution for unique applications.

The Advent ADVBSD30 is an aftermarket blind-spot monitoring system designed for cars and SUVs with plastic rear bumper covers.

The ACABSDLP from Advent is a blind spot monitoring system that’s integrated into a license plate frame. The system is ideal for vehicles with metal bumpers such as a pickup truck, camper or recreational vehicle.

or truck in an adjacent lane, the system will illuminate the pillar-mounted LED warning sensors until that car is about 30 feet behind. It’s important to know that not all aftermarket systems include this feature.

Most consumers think about traveling on the freeway or interstate when considering the benefits of blind spot detection solutions. With that said, their advantage is of equal or perhaps greater value when blacking out of a parking spot in a busy shopping plaza or even your driveway. When in reverse, the Advent system switches to a cross-traffic alert mode that monitors 25 feet on either side of the vehicle and 15 feet behind to let them know if someone is approaching before the driver can see down the road or laneway.

Advent offers their ACABSDLP and ACABSDLP2 blind-spot monitoring solutions that can mount easily on a pickup truck, motorhome or recreational vehicle for vehicles with metal rear bumpers.

Traditional Vehicle Safety Solutions

Joe pointed out that “VOXX continues to offer retailers a full suite of traditional backup camera and parking sensor solutions. These products have been the bread and butter of our retailers and expeditors for many years.” Camera solutions like the flush-mount ACA101D check all the quality and performance benchmarks with an IP68 water and dust intrusion rating, 0.1 Lux low-light performance, normal and reverse image selection and dynamic parking lines. The ACA501D is an ideal upgrade for new high-definition multimedia receivers thanks to its high performance 1089-line

CCD image sensor. Joe mentioned that “their team works hard to consider how our products will be used in the field. Often, what makes us unique are the features we include for those outside-the-box applications. For example, the PSD100D parking sensor system includes a mute option that silences the system when the vehicle is towing a trailer. Likewise, it includes a learning capability that ignores parts of the vehicle that might otherwise cause false alarms. Finally, we made the sensitivity and detection range adjustable to ensure every installation works the way the client expects.”

The Gentex line of rearview mirrors presents an opportunity for mobile electronics retailers to improve the safety of delivery vans, SUVs loaded with cargo, customized work trucks, tow trucks, as well as other municipal vehicles. Gentex

The new VOXX Power System is an installed back-up battery solution that’s installed directly into a client vehicle. If the car battery is dead, activating the Voxx system using the smartphone app will have the doors open, and the engine started in just a few minutes.

Telematics solutions like CarLink and Directed® Smart- Start will let you check the location of your vehicle right from your Smartphone

mirrors like the GENFDM3LN function as a traditional rearview mirror with automatic dimming or can switch to a display mirror mode that shows the image of a rear-mounted camera. If the driver can’t physically see the rear window, the Gentex mirror and a rearmounted camera restore that crucial vision path. Retailers can add a dedicated wide-angle rear vision camera for parking and maneuvering purposes when upgraded with an optional harness. Many of the Gentex mirrors include Homelink integration so that drivers can program the system to work with a motorized garage door, parking lot garage doors, gates and some home lighting systems.

VOXX Power Systems Gives You The Power You Need, When You Need It Most

Looking at vehicle operator safety from a slightly different perspective, Joe said, “There’s nothing worse than coming out of your home or leaving work to find that the battery in your vehicle is dead. VOXX recently introduced a unique safety product designed for vehicle operators and their passengers – the VOXX Power System.” This installed battery back-up system installs directly to the vehicle’s battery and provides the boost that’s needed when the vehicle’s battery

is dead. If the driver has left a light on and drained the battery, or cold weather and old age have reduced the efficacy of the electrical system, activating the Power System from an Android or iOS smartphone app will have the vehicle up and running in seconds. Unlike portable solutions that are often charged then tossed in the back and forgotten till they are needed, and by then are dead as well, the VPS is always charged, so it’s always ready to go.

Along the same lines, VOXX products like CarLink and Directed’s (now owned by VOXX) SmartStart telematics solutions allow vehicle owners to lock, unlock, and remote start their vehicle from virtually anywhere in the world, right from their Smartphone. For parents of children borrowing the family vehicle or owners of fleet vehicles, these systems can track the vehicle location as well as gave the ability to set Geo-fences, smart areas that will alert once the vehicle enters or exits that specific area and display that information on a map. Joe commented that “for parents, they will know when the child is on the way home, and business owners can reduce overhead by tracking vehicle use.”

VOXX Looks Toward the Future

I asked Joe if there was anything new on the horizon from VOXX. He replied, “We are working on new digital video recording products. What will make these dash camera systems unique is their ability to integrate with SmartStart. You’ll be able to see what the camera sees from your smartphone app. Look for this in 2022.” This is a technology that consumers have been asking about for more than a decade.

For mobile electronics retailers, offering vehicle safety and convenience solutions from VOXX and its brands is a great way to bring new clients and revenue into your store. Of course, registering your store on the Vision Zero Automotive Network website (https:// vzan.org/preferred-retailer-application/) to be a preferred retailer. You can keep up with the newest products and innovations from VOXX by visiting the VOXX Electronics website (https:// www.voxxelectronics.com/). Of course, be sure to follow their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/voxxelectronics) and subscribe to their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/ user/AudiovoxPR/videos). On behalf of Mobile Electronics Magazine, Vision Zero and myself, I’d like to thank Joe for taking time to talk to us about the future of vehicle safety and how VOXX is contributing to making driving safer and less stressful.