Sep 23, 2014

  • Pioneering technology provides greater safety, efficiency and comfort than external mirrors
  • Camera modules maximize the field of view and reduce the blind spot
  • Displays in the driver's cab simplify anticipative driving

Hanover, September 23, 2014. High precision and uncompromising reliability. These are properties that Continental insists on in every one of its electronic solutions - with the ProViu®Mirror, they have reached astonishing new heights. This forward-looking camera system is the revolutionary alternative to exterior mirrors. As a specialist in the fields of video processing, display technology and camera applications, Continental combines all the expertise present in the diverse components of the revolutionary ProViu®Mirror system in a single solution - and offers not only the innovative high-tech modules that form the system, but also comprehensive service from a single source. The technology used in commercial vehicles and special-purpose vehicles maximizes driving safety while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption by improving the vehicle's aerodynamic properties. This supplier to the automotive industry will be presenting the ProViu®Mirror for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair.

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Improved safety thanks to the innovative structure of the cameras and displays

Side mirrors make a major contribution to safety. With ProViu®Mirror, these safety levels are not only maintained but greatly enhanced. "The safety factor was given the highest priority during the development of the ProViu®Mirror - and it was for precisely this reason that we developed the system on the basis of ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level)," explains Dr. Michael Ruf, Head of the Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket Business Unit at Continental. ASIL represents a subsection of ISO standard 26262. This subsection considers systems in terms of potential hazards, the control capabilities available to the driver in the event of malfunctions, and the severity of potential accidents.

The gain in safety is due to the system's innovative structure: Two cameras are attached to each side of the vehicle. These are aligned in such a way that the area in the field of view is considerably larger than when conventional external mirrors are used. Because the cameras are mounted high up on the vehicle, they capture the vehicle environment even when the doors are open. The images acquired by the camera modules are transferred in high quality to 12-inch displays that are mounted on the left and right sides of the A-pillar inside the driver's cab. The recorded images are transferred to the displays where they provide a high-contrast and extremely detailed view thanks to their optimized anti-reflection properties. Split screens create the perfect illusion of a rear view through an external mirror. And if an accident occurs, then ProViu®Mirror minimizes the consequences. This is due to the fact that the camera arms are retractable and cause no or only minimal damage at the driver's cab.

Enhanced efficiency through aerodynamic optimization

The position of the reliable, perfectly harmonized system components guarantees more than just a maximized field of view. With ProViu®Mirror, commercial vehicles are even more efficient when on the road. Because the cameras are installed in the vehicle's A axis, aerodynamic resistance is greatly reduced. This advantage is further reinforced by the small size of the camera modules. "Thanks to these aerodynamic optimizations, ProViu®Mirror can considerably cut fuel consumption - and thus helps optimize the cost efficiency of fleets and reduce the burden on the environment," explains Ruf.

ProViu®Mirror has proven itself in real-life conditions

While developing the system, Continental subjected ProViu®Mirror to continuous testing. A test vehicle equipped with the new technology covered more than 10,000 kilometers during the test phase. The test drivers confirmed the improvements in terms of safety, efficiency and comfort at the wheel. This is because a short familiarization phase is all that is needed in order to be able to use the system. A further advantage lies in the fact that drivers need to move their heads much less to gain a better overview of the current traffic situation. The positioning of the displays, which are located in the driver's cab and are therefore closer to the driver, was singled out as another plus point. The displays are therefore always located in the user's direction of vision. This uninterrupted screening of the traffic dynamics makes a great contribution to anticipative driving. "The subjective evaluations by the test drivers show that the ProViu®Mirror not only makes external mirrors unnecessary but also offers functions that vastly improve the driving experience," concludes Ruf.

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