BMV 7-Series Sedan Has Infrared "Night Vision" Technology

by amyellensoden | October 19, 2009 at 11:28 am

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BMW has added a night vision feature to the optional gadgets list for their new 7-series sedans. The new system uses far-infrared technology to detect temperature changes and scan for heat.

This feature stands apart from similar systems offered by Cadillac and Lexus due to its clarity in varying weather conditions, depth perception, and ability to minimize superfluous content.

The Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection system significantly advances the first-gen system found in the last 7-series by adding people-spotting technology that distinguishes between animals and humans. The system was developed by the Swedish firm Autoliv Electronics. It is the latest evolution of technology that Lexus and Mercedes-Benz also have offered since Cadillac brought it to the automotive sector in the 2000 Deville sedan.

A little infrared camera, located in the grille, computes the heat of anything ahead of a moving vehicle and an image is processed into the navigation display. The system monitors speed and warns against any possible collision.

The unique feature of this infrared technology is that a colour coded system differentiates between immobile objects, animals, and humans. A pedestrian or animal is considered "warm' and shows up as white, while an inanimate object such as a parked car is considered "cool" and appears black.

The pedestrian-detection feature kicks in when the car exceeds 25 mph, scanning the road 10 to 100 yards ahead of you. Pedestrians appear with a yellow tint, helping you figure out if that dark shape is a kid on a bike or a dog in the road.

It remains to be seen whether BMW's new infrared, night vision technology will take off in the way that other navigation systems have in the past.