Ambient lighting in vehicles increases perception of quality, safety

2011 BMW 5-Series Interior

A new study has found that the use of ambient lighting inside vehicles increases the consumer’s perception of safety and the quality of the car. According to a study by engineers at BMW and the Lighting Engineering Group at Ilmenau University of Technology, ambient lighting improved a driver’s perception of a vehicle”s cabin and makes them feel warmer and safer inside.

The study said that ambient lighting gives an increase of the perception of the space in a car’s interior and enhances the perceived quality of materials used – thus making the driver feel safer.

Researchers found that well-placed dim lights are just as sufficient as numerous lights, and increasing the brightness did nothing to enhance the driver”s impressions. In fact, more lights created complaints of a distracting glare and brightness.

Heck, we thought they just make the interior look a little nicer.

– By: Kap Shah

Source: Wired