So could another camera in the car that watches the drivers head and adjusts the view based on movements. It could also be better too as you can now be comfortable and not contorted to get a proper view(even better than adjusting the mirror). It could also be disabled to provide a stead view. With a touch screen we could stay focused on a target too.
while true for the driver-side mirror, the ability to move your head to get more/different visibility isn't nearly as true for the passenger side. I can easily imagine a scenario where a camera that covers any blindspot, which is nearer your face, and is potentially augmented with CV object detection. You could also imagine using the large touchscreen display in the center console to show the appropriate camera when using your turn signal. I'd probably opt for a camera rather than a physical mirror if it was good enough.
This is one of those safety features with redundancy on mind that we could actually double down on it. Instead of replacing side mirrors with cameras how about we have cameras embedded in each mirror, let's say infrared/normal and night-vision so you could chose which camera to look at on screen or outside at the mirror for best assessment of your surroundings.
Your average passenger car has darn near 360 degrees of visibility, with very good mirror coverage.
I can see how a camera would be useful (though I find them difficult to use, as I'm never sure if the image is reversed or not), but it should never be necessary (at least until the point where the driver is no longer necessary).
Off subject, but I'm surprised better rear view cameras/sensors are not being manufactured right now. I'm not talking about just a camera though.
Could anyone imagine a a smart camera, with a display. The camera/computer would assist the driver in seeing better at night. Would calculate the odds of a police cruiser behind you. Would warn of potential danger, like an animal on the side of the road. Would warn you if you are being followed. Would be so well designed, you still used your rear view, but kicked in at the needed times? Would map out likely spots police hide? Could even be tied into physiological body sensors? "Today is not a good day to drive? Watch out for ice. Watch you temper?"
The camera/sensors would have to be easily installed, like a stereo?
I would buy one if programmed right, and the cost was justifiable.
Then again there's someting beautiful about a simple chrome rear view mirror. A driver knowing they need to drive with all senses fully engaged, with no assistance other than experience, and good coordination.
Cameras could certainly augment mirrors in ways that improve safety, but I do not believe that they can replace them (again, barring some serious headtracking). However Tesla was interested in getting rid of the mirrors to improve the aerodynamics.
Often designers of cars like to push that as an option, but reliability (cameras/electronics break/fritz) and general utility (yes, you can move your head for a better angle) win out.
On cars I did drive a rear view camera allows to stop exactly were you want but gives a poor situation awareness. Also the wider camera angle the smaller are objects on a screen - there is no such problem when you can turn your head around to see with your eyes.
They could parallax though, so that doesn't seem like the best argument.
They could also use complex optics like "plain lens" with a "fish-eye border", or highlight obstacles by boosting colour contrast or adding in non-visual sensor data.
If cameras are that much better we should be getting vehicles that use both (which we do for rear-view but not side-mirrors AFAIK).
Cameras already do on some cars. I think it might be some Volvo SUV's that no longer have mirrors, but cameras in their place. (I'm not into SUVs so I didn't pay attention to the brand, but I've seen several at the airport when I put my car in the long term parking lot)
I'd say no to that, aside from the reliability and KISS aspects of this, there is one thing cameras won't be able to do properly: parallax. In tight parking spaces or near curbs I will often move around in the car so that I can see obstacles without having to adjust the mirrors.
I'm thinking about installing a 360° aftermarket camera in my car. That's because I can't see where my front (esp. the front right side) is with any mirrors. Nose's too low to see the corners.
I've already brushed against other person's car in the dark and lost some sleep over that, waiting for them to contact me (thankfully, they weren't too much upset over it). A 360 camera is certainly not a replacement for mirrors, but looks like an awesome ability to have additional vision.
BTW, I wonder why no one places parking camera display in a way that requires driver to physically turn backwards and see the window as well. Even mirrors don't really provide a proper view, and it's inconvenient (if not unsafe) to turn back and forth.
More external cameras, IR, heat, whatever, looking out at all angles. I'm definitely for it. Not sure why we still have those drag inducing chunks sticking out of our sleek vehicles, the reflective things that can ice over, and that you have to calibrate for each driver, now that tiny cameras and range sensors are cheap and ubiquitous.
A camera is preferable in some situations, mirrors and sticking your head out the window in others. Why can't we have both and use the best as the situation demands?
I wonder if a pair of cameras under the center of the vehicle would meet the requirement for a rear-view camera. That'd be superior, because seeing right next to the wheels is actually useful. For viewing higher, we have windows and mirrors.
Camera's provide more options
reply