Lexus will soon unveil a new motor with a side-view camera system for the first time in Europe.
The system – which debuts on the new Lexus ES 3000h – can be seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The idea behind the new system is to replace side-view mirrors with compact high-definition cameras, with better picture and wider angles for the driver. Each feed is then shown to the driver in real-time, via 5-inch monitors attached to the dashboard.
The new system eliminates blind spots, and are more aerodynamic than traditional mirrors.
Housed in special cases to protect each camera from dirt and rain, each also comes with built-in heaters to prevent freezing or condensation build-up. They also have luminescence sensors, and so can reduce the glare from other headlights (say, from the car behind you).
The boffs at Lexus say that using the video monitors makes it easier to correctly position the car while parking, and better at judging safe distances while driving on a motorway.
Lexus isn’t the only carmaker looking to upgrade the side-view mirror. Audi has developed a new system it calls ‘virtual mirrors’ on its new electric e-tron.
