Passenger Mirror Cameras: Which Cars Have This Feature?

The use of cameras instead of side mirrors in cars is an emerging trend in modern car design. While this feature is not yet street legal in the US, it is becoming more prevalent in other markets. Cars with side-view cameras offer a wider field of view, eliminating blind spots and providing better visibility in dark conditions. Some models that feature side-view cameras include the Audi e-tron, Honda E, and Hyundai Ioniq 5/6.

Blind-spot cameras vs. monitors

Blind-spot cameras and monitors are driver-assistance technologies that help drivers see vehicles in their blind spots. While both systems aim to increase safety, they differ in their design and functionality.

Blind-Spot Cameras

Blind-spot cameras are typically small, compact cameras installed on the underside of side-view mirrors. They provide drivers with a live video feed of the vehicle's blind spots, displayed on the infotainment screen or instrument cluster. This technology eliminates blind spots by offering a wider field of view and enhancing visibility in low-light conditions. Blind-spot cameras are often found in luxury vehicles or higher-end trims of more affordable models.

Blind-Spot Monitors

Blind-spot monitors, on the other hand, use sensors or cameras to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes. When a vehicle enters the driver's blind spot, these monitors provide visual or audible alerts, typically in the form of a light on the side-view mirror or a warning chime. Some advanced systems may also provide steering assistance to prevent accidental lane changes. Blind-spot monitors are more commonly available as optional features across various vehicle segments.

Comparison

The key difference between blind-spot cameras and monitors lies in the way they present information to the driver. Cameras offer a direct, live feed of the blind spot area, providing a more comprehensive view. Monitors, on the other hand, rely on alerts and warnings to indicate the presence of a vehicle in the blind spot, without showing a live feed. Additionally, blind-spot cameras may offer improved visibility in low-light conditions and can be beneficial for parking assistance. However, monitors are generally more widely available and may be more cost-effective.

Pros and cons of mirror cameras

Mirror cameras are becoming an increasingly popular feature in modern car design, with manufacturers like Honda and Hyundai adopting them in their vehicles. They offer several advantages over traditional side mirrors, such as improved aerodynamics, better fuel efficiency, and the elimination of blind spots. The compact size of mirror cameras reduces wind noise and improves the vehicle's range. Additionally, the wide-angle lenses of these cameras provide a better view of the road behind, enhancing safety. Mirror cameras can also provide a more detailed view in low-light conditions, such as when driving through tunnels or parking at night. From an aesthetic perspective, they offer a minimalistic and futuristic look that aligns with the current trend in EV design.

However, mirror cameras also come with certain drawbacks. They tend to be more expensive to buy and replace than traditional mirrors. The complexity of cameras makes them more prone to malfunction, and their footage can be grainy or blurry, especially in poor lighting or sunny conditions due to lens flare. The placement of displays inside the vehicle can be distracting, especially if the brightness levels are not adjustable. Additionally, mirror cameras may pose challenges for drivers with poor eyesight, as they require focusing on a closer object compared to conventional mirrors.

Camera mirrors in cars

However, camera mirrors also have some drawbacks. They are more expensive to purchase and replace than traditional mirrors, and their complex nature makes them more prone to malfunction. The footage quality can be grainy or blurry, especially in poor lighting or sunny conditions due to lens flare. Additionally, the placement of displays inside the vehicle can be distracting, especially if the brightness levels are not adjustable for night-time driving. Another often overlooked issue is the inconvenience for drivers with poor eyesight, particularly those with presbyopia or age-related farsightedness, as they would need to adjust their focus rapidly between near and far objects.

While camera mirrors offer benefits in terms of visibility and aesthetics, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks, especially regarding reliability and ease of use for all types of drivers.

Camera mirrors banned in the US

Camera mirrors are not banned in the US, but they are not street legal either. Current federal regulations do not allow for active displays instead of mirrors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering how to bring federal motor vehicle regulations into the 21st century to allow for side-view cameras. The agency wants motorists and carmakers to help it make a decision.

In 2019, NHTSA started the process of looking into whether allowing cameras to replace mirrors compromised safety. There were two main points it was worried about, and these haven't been clarified by the companies that urged it to change the law. First, it found safety-related performance issues (including image distortion problems) with the systems it tested. Second, it's worried about how drivers will cope with finding the location of the screens the cameras transfer footage to in different cars.

Camera mirrors offer better aerodynamics and less wind noise since they are more compact than regular mirrors. They also eliminate blind spots since cameras have wide-angle lenses that provide a much better view of the road behind.

Camera mirrors: driving behaviour

Camera mirrors in cars are becoming increasingly popular, with manufacturers such as Honda, Hyundai, Audi, and Lexus offering this feature in their newer models. Camera mirrors offer a wide range of benefits, including increased aerodynamics, reduced wind noise, and the elimination of blind spots. The compact size of cameras also provides a more minimalistic and futuristic look, which is especially appealing for electric vehicle (EV) designs.

However, there are also several drawbacks to camera mirrors. One significant disadvantage is the higher cost of purchase and replacement compared to traditional side mirrors. Camera mirrors are more complex and prone to malfunction, and their footage can be grainy or blurry, especially in poor lighting conditions or on sunny days due to lens flare. Additionally, the placement of displays inside the vehicle can be distracting for drivers, especially if the brightness levels are not adjustable.

Another often overlooked issue with camera mirrors is their inconvenience for drivers with poor eyesight, particularly those with presbyopia or age-related farsightedness. Camera mirrors transmit images to a display that is much closer than traditional mirrors, requiring rapid focus changes that can be challenging for those with bifocals or progressive lenses. This issue also applies to rearview mirrors replaced by screens, as the quick focus change is inherent to the eyes and not the glasses.

While camera mirrors offer advantages in terms of aerodynamics and eliminating blind spots, they also introduce new challenges related to cost, reliability, and usability, especially for drivers with visual impairments. As a result, it is ideal for customers to have the choice between traditional mirrors and camera mirrors to suit their specific needs and preferences.

Frequently asked questions