Gentex Announces First Customer for Its Newest Connected Car and Digital Rear Vision Technologies

Jan 9, 2018
  • Gentex’s new HomeLink Connect™ car-to-home system, demonstrated on the 2018 Range Rover Velar at this year’s CES show, allows drivers to operate home automation devices from their vehicle’s touchscreen
  • Range Rover Velar to also exhibit Gentex’s next-generation Full Display Mirror®, an intelligent rear-vision system that uses a camera and mirror-integrated video display to optimize a vehicle’s rearward view

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today at CES® 2018, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX), long-time supplier of electro-optical products to the global automotive industry, announced that Jaguar Land Rover will be the first automaker to offer the Company’s new car-to-home automation feature and next-generation digital rear vision system.

Gentex's New HomeLink Connect App
HomeLink Connect is an all-new home automation app that pairs with the vehicle and allows drivers to operate home automation devices from the vehicle’s center console display. Drivers of HomeLink Connect compatible vehicles will be able to download and configure the app to control a myriad of individual home automation devices, or set up entire home automation “scenes.”


Gentex's HomeLink Connect on Center Console Touch Screen
Drivers of any Jaguar or Land Rover with InControl Apps will be able to download the HomeLink Connect app and configure it to control a large number of individual home automation devices, or set up entire home automation “scenes.” For instance, when heading home, one HomeLink button press could adjust a thermostat, turn on home lighting, disarm the security system, unlock the door, and begin playing music.


Gentex's HomeLink Connect App
Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles equipped with InControl Apps will be compatible with Gentex’s HomeLink Connect, an all-new home automation app allowing drivers to operate home automation devices from their vehicle’s infotainment touchscreen system.


Gentex's HomeLink Connect
Up to 18 different buttons can be created in the HomeLink Connect app, which will populate on the infotainment system touchscreen when customers’ smartphones are plugged into the USB port. It provides the driver with complete home-automation control without needing to fumble with their phone.


Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles equipped with InControl Apps will be compatible with Gentex’s HomeLink Connect, an all-new home automation app allowing drivers to operate home automation devices from their vehicle’s infotainment touchscreen system.

Drivers of any Jaguar or Land Rover with InControl Apps will be able to download the HomeLink Connect app and configure it to control a large number of individual home automation devices, or set up entire home automation “scenes.” For instance, when heading home, one HomeLink button press could adjust a thermostat, turn on home lighting, disarm the security system, unlock the door, and begin playing music.

Up to 18 different buttons can be created in the app, which will populate on the infotainment system touchscreen when customers’ smartphones are plugged into the USB port. It provides the driver with complete home-automation control without needing to fumble with their phone.

HomeLink Connect will be compatible with both Android and Apple operating systems.

Gentex also announced today that Jaguar Land Rover will be the first automaker to offer the Company’s next-generation Full Display Mirror (FDM), an intelligent rear-vision system. The system captures video from a rearward-facing camera and streams the feed to the LCD-integrated mirror that provides the driver with an unobstructed, panoramic view behind the vehicle.

Gentex’s next-generation FDM features an all-new frameless design with a larger, higher-resolution display, and is accompanied by a 1.7-megapixel camera. The result is an elegant, digital rearview mirror that not only improves the driver’s rearward view but also contributes to the sophistication of the vehicle’s interior.

Gentex is now shipping FDMs to a total of five different automakers, with Jaguar Land Rover also being notable as the Company’s first European customer for the feature.

“We couldn’t be happier to announce the adoption of these new products by Jaguar Land Rover, which is a leader in connected car technologies,” said Steve Downing, Gentex president and chief executive officer. “Last year, we unveiled prototypes of HomeLink Connect and FDM 2.0, and now it’s integrated into a demonstrator vehicle here at CES. Tomorrow, they’ll be on the road. It’s a testament to our product development processes and the desirability of the tech itself.”

HomeLink Connect, FDM, and other Gentex technologies are currently on display at the company’s CES booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Tech East, North Hall, booth #9123), which is designed to showcase the breadth and depth of the Company’s expanding automotive-vision and vehicle-connectivity product lineup.

CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association™, it has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for over 50 years. This year’s show runs January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX) is a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market.  Visit the company website at www.gentex.com.

Gentex Media Contact
Craig Piersma
(616) 772-1590 x4316
craig.piersma@gentex.com

Gentex Investor Relations Contact
Josh O’Berski
(616) 772-1800 x5814
josh.oberski@gentex.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b19e25ca-0efc-4e66-9e87-f30eef4fd7d3 
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http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/afed048b-ae73-4f2b-bc8c-387a3cf93508 
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1884c8c-80da-4229-b569-06a7900cd3d5

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Source: Gentex Corporation