Camera system in gondola are flummox increasingly complicated , and new Union regulation are on the agency so that every new automobile will eventually be equipped with a photographic camera system for additional visibility and guard . In some cars , the complex camera and monitor system that are say to increase the equipment driver ’s visibility can be confusing anddistracting … and in some automobile , the systems do n’t even meliorate visibility enough to actually be utilitarian . back - view television camera and other peripheral photographic camera systems for vehicles have mostly been embraced as a useful tool for improving base hit on the road , but it ’s safe to say that there ’s always room for improvement . Nissan is hop to solve those problems with its raw Smart Mirror technology . Nissan introduced its raw mirror in 2014 at the Geneva Auto Show , and the society plans to start roll out the organisation as a dealer choice on Nipponese models right aside . The company expects that it ’ll be available in Nissans around the world by 2015 .
So what makes the Nissan Smart Rearview Mirror different than other rearview cameras ? It looks like a regularmirror , the traditional kind that works just alright when the weather is clear , and there are no impediment in the railcar behind the number one wood ; but when the rain clouds start rolling in , or the freight expanse is stacked to the roof with camping cogwheel , those are n’t idealistic conditions for rear visibleness . So when a little extra assistance is needed , the driver can activate the Smart Mirror , and the mirror ’s regular view swap to an LCD screen that ’s inside the mirror caparison . There ’s a gamey - firmness of purpose tv camera install on the rearward windowpane of the car , which show the driver an unobstructed position of what ’s behind and what ’s in the blind point . This mental image is cast on the LCD screenland , taking the place of the regular rearview mirror for as long as it ’s activated . The driver is capable to switch back and away with a simple dominance on the bottom of the mirror housing , which should help make the Nissan Smart Mirror scheme pretty leisurely to get accustomed to , especially for masses who might have , until now , resisted buy a car with an optional mirror organisation . When new federal rubber regulations are in place , which will drive all new car emptor to get with the programme , this Smart Mirror engineering might be an advantage in the eyes of late adopters or technophobes , lend more pic to the Nissan brand .
A Simpler Approach to a Rear Camera
The Nissan Smart Mirror is the first organization of its kind , although , as we ’ve mention , various fomite outer boundary camera system have been around for a while . Even though vehicle cameras are helpful in a variety of situations , the Nissan Smart Mirror system offers advantage over other camera scheme . Its bounteous advantage is its easiness . The additional viewpoints are present in a agency that driver are already familiar with – the display look just like a regular rearview mirror . driver do n’t need to shift their eyes to a screenland in the heart console table , or to a projected image that hovers awkwardly in front of the windscreen . The Nissan Smart Mirror is unconvincing to make distraction to the number one wood , because it ’s displayed in an visceral and familiar room . And the switch is right on the mirror itself , within easy stretch , so it can be activated quickly . Unlike other rearward camera systems , there ’s no need to fumble through an infotainment system ’s nested menus or use vocalisation commands just to change the viewpoint .
Nissan grow a young television camera specifically for the Smart Mirror organisation because in former interlingual rendition of the system , engineers hear that existing element did n’t agree the system ’s unique need . TheLCDmonitor had a constraint from the very beginning – it had to fit inside a mirror lodging , which is a dissimilar size and shape than a distinctive console - mounted covert . When images from a standard broad - slant camera were test on this new LCD screen , they give a blue - answer effigy that did n’t achieve Nissan ’s objectives . So Nissan limit to act upon on a narrow - angle photographic camera that would provide the right size , shape and firmness . Nissan also had to come up with a Modern LCD screen that had a suitable prospect ratio , so that the images from the tv camera were displayed in the right altitude and width proportions . This activate the Smart system ’s camera to proffer a panoptic view with no obstructions . Typical visual obstacle , like tall backseat passenger and the railcar ’s C - pillars , are n’t a problem any longer , and the camera also provides more clarity in bad weather , without additional complications like foggy window or the form of slush therear wiperjust ca n’t clear fast enough . Nissan says the camera is also utile in state of affairs with ill at ease ignition , such as sunrise , sundown and even glare from other automobile ' headlights .
The actual mirror meet federal regulation in its " normal " course . And when the television camera ’s on , the display calculate , for the most part , like the steady mirror . However , an indicator in the upper right recession of the showing remind the driver which view is touch off , which helps boil down distraction and potential confusion .
Looking Forward by Looking Back
The United States entry of the Smart Mirror scheme was at the 2014 New York Auto Show in April , and around that time , the Nissan Smart Mirror win the 2014 Traffic Safety Achievement Award from the World Traffic Safety Symposium . This organization seeks to recognize interesting safety innovations in the automotive industriousness with the voltage to salvage spirit . So , the organisation ’s safety potential is already being rewarded – and that ’s before it ’s even available .
But there are even more welfare that have yet to be amply recognized . Nissan says the Smart Mirror organization solve other trouble , too , by unlocking new possibility . The Smart Rearview Mirror offers fresh chance in car intent , in ways that are n’t yet directly seeming . When car room decorator do n’t have to concern so much about constraints like C - mainstay width regard drivers’blind spot , they have more freedom to come up with new and innovative designs . But they ’re not experiment just for the sake of adventure . motorcar designs have to balance the priorities of driver visibility and aerodynamics , but when drivers have other mean value of profile , the scale can be tip a little . This gives Nissan the potential difference to fall up with young and more streamlined machine , which will in turn amend fuel efficiency . To test that potential , the Smart Mirror system is go to go some real - world international mile before it starts hitting production railway car on the street – although it ’ll be a high - insistence situation . Nissan ’s motorsports programme , NISMO , project to follow out the Smart scheme into the ZEOD RC fomite that will be competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other races this year . The raceway team find to tinker with the car to attempt to meliorate itsaerodynamics , and the team is also eager to see if the driver conceive the experience is utile on the track .
If Nissan succeeds with this young technology , it does n’t entail rearview cameras as we know them will go away . In fact , the United States will need rearview television camera on all raw car by 2018 [ source : Davies ] . Nissan has n’t yet announced if they ’ll be licensing this engineering to other car manufacturers , and so far , no competitors have discover plans for a standardized system . But if Nissan ’s Smart Mirror proceed to move , this unproblematic and visceral arrangement might become a popular option to meet Modern Union regulations , especially if it works as intended – simple and efficient , with as few distractions as potential .
Lots More Information
I have to say , I care this theme . Nissan , so far , has explain better than anyone else why rearview camera and overbold mirrors are necessary , because I ’ve always truly trust that they ’re just for the great unwashed who are faineant . My last motorcar had manual ignition lock and window , so I ’m a turn behind , but whenever I ’ve rented young railcar or get tester for limited review , I was a picayune overwhelmed by all the cameras . How is a driver supposed to focus on the road ahead with all those other views around , as well ? It ’s too much . But Nissan ’s receive the right-hand idea here , from my admittedly biased viewpoint , by implementing the Smart Mirror in a way that ’ll be intuitive to drivers – just put the new information where they ’re already used to looking .
