15 Oct 07 15:47
Right half of screen shows front or rear view
Nissan has developed the world's first real-time bird's-eye-view camera system for cars, enabling drivers to check a screen on their dashboard for an aerial view of their parking manoeuvres.
The screen gives two views at a time: one half of the screen shows a synthesised view of the car and its surroundings seen from above, while the other is a front or rear view depending on whether a forward or reverse gear is engaged. It can also show a combination of rear and left-side view to help with parallel parking.
Called Around View Monitor, the system also uses beeps and coloured lines to show the distance from another vehicle or object.
It relies on four ultra-wide-angle high-resolution cameras mounted on the front, sides and rear of the vehicle, each capable of 180-degree vision.
Around View Monitor will first appear on the Elgrand MPV in Japan later this month, then the Infiniti EX35 SUV in the US before the end of the year. Expect it to arrive in Europe during 2008.
