For as long as we can remember, sideview mirrors on concept cars have always been replaced by cameras. For the longest time, they were either too complex, not practical or did not meet safety requirements. These days are now behind us.
More precisely, these “mirrors” will be legal and available in Japan only as of October. What is perhaps most surprising about the technology is that it will first be offered in Lexus’ entry-level product, the ES. More often than not, this type of kit is offered on the top-line model.
Be that as it may, the cameras are mounted in skinny stalks, much like normal mirrors would however they are much smaller. The advantages to this feature are numerous, from multiple camera angles, the ability to zoom in and out and they barely obstruct forward side-view. The images the cameras capture are projected onto screens mounted the very ends of the dashboard, near the base of the “A” pillars.
Lexus put together a video (in Japanese) that explains the many functionalities of the new technology. Much of it reminds us of Honda’s slowly-dying Lane-Watch technology which failed miserably.
The future is now! Or already behind us…
