Sharpening the senses in professional and personal life.
As the component manager for the front camera, Lissi Lanz keeps the future of automated driving in focus. In this interview, she discusses how she balances work and hobbies while creating enriching synergies.
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The front camera helps the driver keep everything in view. How do you ensure the reliability of the systems?
Lissi: In my job, I’m responsible for the front camera component, contributing daily to ensuring the critical difference between an avoidable accident and a good, reliable drive.
The sensors, cameras, and the flawless interaction of the assistance systems are essential for the safety of our models, enabling them to adapt to various situations on the road.
We test the front camera under different temperature conditions, which is particularly exciting for me. For cold-weather testing, we head up north to Sweden, where we examine the behavior of the heating foil under extreme conditions. We analyze how the front camera performs in snow and what it can handle during a severe snowstorm.
„When mountain biking, I rely on my skills—our customers rely on the flawless interaction of the supporting assistance systems.“
Lissi Lanz
How do you personally handle this?
Lissi: I’m a brave person, but I have foresight. Extreme situations often require quick, intuitive decisions—especially when you don’t know exactly what to expect. This applies to a front camera in traffic just as much as it does to me on a mountain bike trail. That’s why early detection and general anticipation of dangers are my primary focus, both personally and professionally.
How advanced is the development of the front camera in danger detection, and how does it support automated driving?
Lissi: In my role, I drive this foresight through the front camera system for Audi Assisted Driving. Traffic signs, motorcycles, traffic jams, crossing pedestrians, and any obstacles need to be detected by our systems as quickly as possible.
At the heart of our work is the development of immediate processing of the detected data. This requires a harmonious interaction between the individual components—the component itself, the functions running on it, and their overarching control. All of this creates the big picture. However, a goal like that can only be achieved as a team—it’s not possible alone.
How do you continue to develop yourself and your role?
Lissi: With enthusiasm and trust in my abilities, I continually advance safety systems—both in my daily work and in my free time while mountain biking. There, a single moment of inattention can be the difference between a great ride and a serious accident. I have to be able to rely on my perception, continuously sharpen it, and consistently train my personal risk assessment.
What fascinates you most about your job?
Lissi: I love that with my expertise and passion—both professionally and personally—I can make the mobility of the future safer.
„Automated driving is our future: Through the interaction of the camera and other control devices, especially our teams’, it becomes reality.“
Lissi Lanz
