Hans-Dieter Seufert Camera technology in the car
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What about ten years ago with the first The reversing camera began, has become a visual all-round monitoring system that offers many new perspectives behind the wheel. And, according to the will of many engineers, this is only the beginning.
Area View in the VW Touareg
How far the electronic perspective has become , you can see for example on the new VW Touareg . According to press spokesman Jochen Grüten, there is for the first time an environment monitoring system called 'Area View'. To do this, the engineers combine two cameras in each of the exterior mirrors, in the tailgate and in the radiator grille and transmit these images to the central touchscreen in the center console. For example, when driving in difficult terrain, you can maneuver with millimeter precision and find your way between boulders and tree trunks. In addition, the driver can keep an eye on the trailer in trailer operation.
Similar camera technology at BMW and Infiniti
There are similar solutions for the off-road vehicles from BMW and the Nissan -Sister brand Infiniti . They all have up to four cameras on board - some for an extra charge - the images of which are put together by the electronics so that you can see your car from a bird's eye view. 'Expensive scratches from flower pots or wall projections in the blind spot are a thing of the past when parking,' says Infiniti spokeswoman Nathalie Greve.
Surround camera system in the Land Rover Discovery
Going one step further Land Rover at Discovery . According to press spokesman Paul Entwistle, it is available in the new model year with an optional surround camera system after the revision. 'Itconsists of no fewer than five digital cameras that transmit a view of almost 360 degrees to the touchscreen, 'explains Entwistle. The cameras switch on automatically when the vehicle is started and can be used at speeds of up to 18 km /h. The driver can join in You can select each camera individually at the touch of a finger and you can even zoom in. The British recommend the system not only for difficult off-road passages, but also for use with a trailer, because, according to Entwistle, you cannot use a caravan or horse trailer with it just hook it up without a marshalling person. If you have to maneuver with a trailer without any practice, you can also see exactly in which direction the combination is going on the electronically corrected images of the wide-angle cameras thanks to additional guide lines. However, the car manufacturers use the cameras not only for surveillance for parking and maneuvering, but also for assistance systems while driving.
Cameras as H ore of night vision systems
In models like the Opel Insignia , the Mercedes E-Class or the BMW 7er , for example, the video eye reads the traffic signs and displays the current speed limits between the speedometer and the rev counter. And also at Mercedes and BMW or in the new Audi A8 form the cameras with the help of infrared technology the heart of night vision systems.
A t the developers with the video eyes would even like to replace the rear-view mirrors and are already doing this in every second design study. 'It looks neat and is also good for air resistance,' says Audi developer Thomas Kräuter. As a project manager, he also installed such a solution in the E-Tron electric sports car. But he is not particularly convinced of it yet. 'Firstly, you can hardly see anything on the monitors in the interior in sunlight. And secondly, the technology has not yet been approved.' For a while, the driver will have to see the world with his own eyes.
