Technology “mirrorless” car is ready, however, convenient for drivers the location of the screens will still require some effort.
The concept cars for many years flaunt the lack of mirrors, and, accordingly, streamlined shape with no protruding parts, but the production cars still do not abandon the side mirrors. The fact that until recently, the displays and the rear view camera has not been effective, from the point of view of the price, replacement for mirrors. Today, thanks to the numerous technological breakthroughs already exist miniature smartphones, but automakers are still not in a hurry to replace the traditional, dimensional mirror, including due to legislative requirements. Soon, however, a lot can change.
Japan was the first country which allowed the operation of the cars without mirrors, according to Automotive News, obviously this is the result of total saturation of the country’s advanced electronics and “virtualization”. In response, many suppliers of parts have started to prepare their proposals at once in a wide variety of options and designs. The first steps in this direction in the United States makes Cadillac, offering on its new CT6 sedan to display instead of rear view mirrors (as an option). However, to replace the side mirrors the same technology with side cameras still require approval from lawmakers.
Parts suppliers are going to offer instead of mirrors side cameras and displays, which should improve the driver’s vision.
However, the use of new technology will benefit not just the vendors. Due to the failure from the side mirrors, the car manufacturers will be able to reduce the coefficient of aerodynamic drag, which will reduce fuel consumption, at the same time, more clean lines and shapes will reduce “blind spots.”
Automotive News notes that, according to the Japanese parts supplier Ichikoh, by 2023, about 29 percent released in Japan cars will be fitted instead of the mirrors with rear view cameras and 12 per cent, instead of the side mirrors is to use the side cameras. Other manufacturers parts such as Bosch have already implemented this technology, however, is still the main barrier to using this technology in many global markets are legal restrictions.
However, leaving aside the legislative problems, we still have to solve seemingly simple technical task. In particular, where do you set the display to replace the side mirrors? In fact, there are not too many options that try the manufacturers. One of the options, embed the screens into the instrument panel, instead of or next to the side vents. Another option, install them at the front, on the sides of the windshield (but in cars they are thin enough for this) that is already being done on some commercial trucks. And the third alternative, installation of screens or projecting an image at the upper edge of the windshield providing a panoramic overview of what is happening behind the car.
In fact, not so many convenient places for the location of the screens side-view.
Another barrier to the implementation of the technology is acceptable to consumers. How much they are willing to accept such a replacement. It’s one thing to offer instead of side mirrors, screens, in the same place, and another to change the habitual for the vast majority of buyers look of the car, replacing it with technological advantages. First experience with a replacement Cadillac mirrors on the screen have had mixed results; the rear view does not lead to radical improvement review back while the driver takes one or two seconds.to focus the vision on the screen. The same effect you can see looking from a remote point on the screen of the smartphone and ago. Your eyes need some time to tune in to “faux” the image shown by the display, while in the case of the mirror, nothing like this happens. However, at least in the case of Cadillac, such a system may be useful in the role of rear camera coupled with a low silhouette and thick rear pillars or other situations with poor visibility. But at the same time, the information screen already provides a much wider viewing angle when Parking ago.
In short, only a matter of time until the technology becomes so cheap to replace the mirror; the buyers will soon be convinced that it is better and safer, or at least no worse than conventional flat glass mirrors.
