It's almost too fitting a gadget for Halloween. Gentex Corporation has introduced a new backup camera with its display mounted in the rearview mirror of the car. Since backing up vehicles, especially larger ones, can be dangerous or even fatal to anyone caught behind, some carmakers have
lately been adding rearview cameras to models, allowing the driver a better view of their surroundings.
The Gentex product takes it a step further. Rather than requiring a large screen mounted to the centre stack, the company's "transflective" coatings allow the LCD to be viewed through the mirror when required, while disappearing completely when not. When the vehicle is put in reverse, a bright, panoramic image is displayed in real time via a rearward looking camera mounted to the back of the car or truck.
"We're excited about this product from a safety perspective, as it should help reduce the risk of backup accidents for any vehicle, many of which involve small children playing directly behind the vehicle," said Gentex Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fred Bauer. "It also may help to prevent vehicular damage from backing up into objects that otherwise would go undetected by the driver."
He adds that the rearview mirror is the ideal place for the display, allowing drivers to keep an eye on the mirror and screen at once.
Already in talks with automakers, Toyota will reportedly demonstrate Gentex's mirror on a Tacoma at the SEMA show this week.
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| (Photo: Gentex Corporation) |
The Gentex product takes it a step further. Rather than requiring a large screen mounted to the centre stack, the company's "transflective" coatings allow the LCD to be viewed through the mirror when required, while disappearing completely when not. When the vehicle is put in reverse, a bright, panoramic image is displayed in real time via a rearward looking camera mounted to the back of the car or truck.
"We're excited about this product from a safety perspective, as it should help reduce the risk of backup accidents for any vehicle, many of which involve small children playing directly behind the vehicle," said Gentex Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fred Bauer. "It also may help to prevent vehicular damage from backing up into objects that otherwise would go undetected by the driver."
He adds that the rearview mirror is the ideal place for the display, allowing drivers to keep an eye on the mirror and screen at once.
Already in talks with automakers, Toyota will reportedly demonstrate Gentex's mirror on a Tacoma at the SEMA show this week.