Technology often outpaces legislation and regulations, but finally, the
US will examine and test camera-based side-mirror systems that replace
the traditional reflective mirror.
Reuters
first reported on the NHTSA announcement in August and the agency said
it plans to research driving behavior and how drivers execute lane
changes with both traditional mirrors and the camera systems. Per
regulation, all automobiles must have reflective side
mirrors, though we've started to see cameras take over the rear-view
mirror in a handful of vehicles. Backup cameras are also federally mandated technology in all new vehicles, too.
Starting on Thursday, NHTSA opened the public comment period on the
technology. The government will take comments for 60 days, though it did
not declare when it will make a final decision on if it will give the
systems a green light for the US.
In other markets, such as Europe or Japan, automakers have started to equip vehicles with camera-as-mirror technology. Lexus began selling the ES sedan in Japan last year with cameras replacing traditional side mirrors. Audi , too, has installed the technology on the E-Tron electric SUV
for the European market. Here in the US, we're regulated to standard
mirrors. Feeds from the cameras are shown inside the car and replace the
reflective images shown on a traditional side mirror.
News of the
research into allowing camera-based side-view mirrors follows a NHTSA
announcement last year that will finally update headlight regulations in
the US. Now, automakers will be free to develop what the federal agency
called "adaptive driving beam" headlights.
Automakers commonly market the technology as "matrix" headlights
in other markets. The system is capable of running high beams as the
default setting, but can also dim specific portions of the light when it
recognizes another vehicle or pedestrian to keep from blinding them.
As
for the camera-based side mirrors, the public will have a chance to
comment on the technology in the months to come. Check out how Audi
implemented the technology in the gallery below.
