ELECTRONICS
MEKRA Lang has an in-house development division at its Ergersheim location. This is where we develop and manufacture our cameras and ECUs for imaging and image processing in the commercial vehicle sector. Our products are developed in accordance with Automotive SPICE and, upon request, meet requirements in the areas of functional safety and cybersecurity.
As a leading provider, we are committed to continuous improvement through innovation. We combine experience, expertise, and creativity to create new products for our customers and thus address challenges and future-oriented issues. It is therefore a particular priority for us to actively shape the future of indirect vision for commercial vehicles, including through electronic mirror replacement systems. In addition to camera-monitor systems, we therefore also create platform solutions from which individual and customized products, specifically tailored to the customer’s needs, can be generated.
PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT
Our Advanced Development department designs solutions that serve as the basis for developing mass-produced products tailored to specific customer requirements—in a targeted and efficient manner. Joint advanced development projects with our customers are not only possible but expressly encouraged.
We understand the market, customer needs, and the project roadmaps of our technology partners. Based on this, we define product platforms. For us, the pre-development of core technologies includes the testing and commissioning of hardware components, as well as the pre-development of algorithms and software for imaging and intelligent sensing.
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
The development of digital vision systems for series production begins in our “Electronics System Development” division. The staff in this division serve as technical contacts and consultants. To determine the appropriate system requirements and ideal system architecture for a client, the system developers analyze and evaluate the requirements of the customer and various stakeholders. They work closely with downstream development departments, such as hardware and software development, to deliver an optimal product that is perfectly tailored to the customer’s needs.
Hardware
Our experienced hardware developers create design concepts for camera hardware, modern electronic control units (ECUs), and smart mirror electronics in-house, and bring these concepts to life from circuit design through to layout. The team works closely with our customers and partners to implement customized solutions that offer an attractive cost-benefit ratio.
SOFTWARE
Our software development focuses on the design and testing of robust embedded software and firmware for semiconductor chips and integrated circuits. Our primary areas of focus include vehicle communication and diagnostics, image processing, and other functionalities, such as the signal-controlled display of symbols (overlays). To implement all functions effectively while ensuring our product meets the high standards required, we utilize either traditional project management or agile development, depending on the project environment. A hybrid approach combining both methods is also regularly employed.
OPTICS
We design and engineer sensor heads whose optical and mechanical properties make them suitable for the demanding applications of camera systems in the automotive industry. In this development process, we either select off-the-shelf optics from trusted project partners for cost-effective standard applications or use our core expertise to design entirely new, custom-made optics. Our products are already in use today across various sectors of the automotive industry.
MECHATRONICS
The Mechatronics Systems Development team is responsible for the design and integration of electrical components and systems. Great importance is placed on the field-of-view simulation of camera systems. Here, we coordinate the interaction of multiple cameras on the vehicle and design the systems for optimal ergonomics, monitor size, and positioning. We simulate and calculate the replacement of mirror systems based on applicable ECE regulations and ISO standards.
The development of mechatronic components is carried out through close collaboration between the mechanical, electronic, and software departments. On this basis, we develop robust camera-monitor systems and design all components to meet the required electrical and mechanical specifications. The integration of folding mechanisms, antennas, sensors, and additional lights rounds out our development scope.
INTEGRATION AND TESTING
Our testing department works closely with mechanical and electronic development teams, supporting them from the early development stages through ongoing testing throughout all project phases.
With a variety of laboratory facilities, we ensure compliance with both internal and customer requirements. These range from an optics laboratory for verifying the image quality of camera-monitor systems, to hardware-in-the-loop test benches for validating software and system functionalities, to various environmental, mechanical, and shaker tests designed to simulate stresses encountered in the automotive sector. In addition to internal testing, MEKRA Lang also coordinates external testing partners and field tests at the customer’s site.
TEST DRIVE
All of our mirrors, electronic driver assistance systems, camera-monitor systems, and visibility solutions undergo road testing throughout the product development and optimization process. This allows us to validate our products early on and achieve a high level of quality, both for the customer and for the production model. The planning, execution, and evaluation of these tests are always carried out in close collaboration with the customer and our development team.
