In-Car Cameras: What's Their Purpose And Function?

Cameras in cars are called dash cams and they are one of the greatest tech gadgets for your vehicle. They are usually mounted on the dashboard, hence the name, but they can also be attached in a variety of ways depending on your needs. They record incidents around your car while you’re driving and can also be rear-facing to record what happens behind your car. Dash cams are a great safety feature as they provide an objective recording of an incident, which can be shared with insurance companies, the police, or others in case of accidents, insurance fraud, or other unexpected events.

Dash cams: Cameras that record the road ahead or behind and are useful in the event of an accident or insurance fraud

Dash cams are cameras that are mounted on the windshield of your car and record the road ahead or behind as you drive. They are useful devices that can protect drivers and their vehicles, as well as provide valuable video evidence in the event of an accident or insurance fraud.

Dash cams are constantly recording while the car is on, capturing footage of any incidents or unexpected situations, such as reckless driving, accidents, or traffic stops. They are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and can automatically save videos when a collision is detected. This makes them ideal for documenting road trips or incidents that require detailed footage for insurance claims or legal purposes.

When choosing a dash cam, it is important to consider features such as high-definition video, front and rear coverage, night vision, a wide-angle lens, and dual-camera capabilities. Some dash cams also offer advanced features like GPS, emergency service alerts, and radar detectors. Additionally, cloud storage options are available for easy video management and sharing.

The price of dash cams varies widely, ranging from sub-$50 to over $500. It is essential to determine your specific needs and budget before purchasing one. Some models may require additional purchases, such as a micro SD card, to function properly.

Overall, dash cams are valuable tools that can enhance your driving experience and provide peace of mind while on the road. They offer safety, documentation, and evidence collection, making them a worthwhile investment for many drivers.

Traffic enforcement cameras: Cameras that detect motoring offences, including speeding, red-light running, and unauthorised use of bus lanes

Traffic enforcement cameras are a type of camera that can be mounted beside or over a road or installed in an enforcement vehicle to detect and deter a range of motoring offences. These include speeding, red-light running, unauthorised use of bus lanes, driving without insurance, and using a mobile phone while driving.

Red light cameras are placed at busy intersections to detect when a motorist enters on a red light. They are usually bulkier than other camera systems and consist of a large camera box and two external flashes, often mounted separately on poles. Multiple red light cameras are often installed at each intersection to capture angles from multiple directions. When a violation is detected, the camera will take multiple images of the car, and the motorist will be issued a ticket by mail a few weeks later.

Speed cameras can be fixed or mobile. Fixed speed cameras are mounted on elevated poles by the side of the road and are easy to spot due to their bulky weatherproof enclosures and external flashes. Mobile speed cameras are more challenging to notice as they are not permanently mounted and can be located on a tripod or inside a van. They are also more difficult to detect using radar detectors as they use a special type of radar (low-powered K-band and MRCD).

Bus lane cameras can identify number plates that are not authorised to drive or ride in a bus lane.

In addition to the types of cameras described above, there are also non-enforcement cameras that monitor traffic but are not tied to any type of automated ticketing system. These include traffic sensor cameras, which are typically installed on top of traffic signals or mounted high on light poles, and automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, which use artificial intelligence to read license plate numbers. ANPR cameras can be fixed (mounted on poles) or mobile (mounted on police vehicles).

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras: Cameras that read vehicle number plates and record information about that plate, or cross-reference it with other databases

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are a highly accurate system capable of reading vehicle number plates without human intervention. They use optical character recognition (OCR) to read vehicle registration plates and create vehicle location data. ANPR cameras can be existing road-rule enforcement or closed-circuit television cameras, as well as mobile units, which are usually attached to vehicles.

ANPR cameras are designed specifically for capturing high-quality images of license plates. They possess several features that make them suitable for this purpose:

• High-resolution imaging: ANPR cameras capture detailed images of license plates, allowing for accurate recognition and extraction of characters.
• Infrared illuminators: Infrared light enhances the contrast and visibility of license plate characters, ensuring effective capture even in low-light conditions.
• Wide dynamic range (WDR): ANPR cameras handle challenging lighting conditions and ensure license plates remain visible and readable despite significant lighting variations.
• Fast shutter speed: This feature helps capture crisp images of moving vehicles, minimising motion blur, especially at high speeds.
• Specialized lens: Optimised lenses ensure clear and focused images, even when the camera is positioned at different heights or angles relative to the vehicle.

ANPR cameras have a wide range of applications, including:

• Law Enforcement: ANPR helps identify stolen or wanted vehicles, track suspects, and detect vehicles involved in criminal activities.
• Traffic Management: ANPR systems monitor average speeds, identify traffic violations, and enforce tolls or congestion charges.
• Parking Management: ANPR automates parking systems, enabling ticketless entry and exit, managing occupancy, and detecting violations.
• Border Control and Security: ANPR monitors vehicle movements at border checkpoints and high-security areas, identifying suspicious or unauthorised vehicles.
• Electronic Toll Collection: ANPR automatically detects and charges vehicles at toll booths without manual intervention.

ANPR technology continues to evolve, with advancements in camera technology and image processing algorithms, improving accuracy and expanding its applications.

Surround-view cameras: Cameras that provide a top-down view of a car and its surroundings, often using data from multiple cameras placed around the vehicle

Surround-view cameras, also known as 360-degree cameras, are an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) that enhances visibility and driver confidence in slow-moving parking situations. This technology provides a top-down view of a car and its surroundings, as if viewed from above, usually projected onto the central infotainment system display on the dashboard. The image is computer-assembled and synthesized using data from multiple cameras placed around the vehicle. These cameras are typically located on the front and rear bumpers and the underside of the side mirror housings, but can also be found in the front grille or wheel wells.

The surround-view camera system's image is often split-screen, simultaneously showing what's around and behind the car. This feature is especially useful when easing out of a parking space or driveway, as it provides an overall sense of the vehicle's geography in relation to adjacent parked cars, curbs, and other objects. It also serves as a safeguard, allowing drivers to see if there is a child or pet standing nearby. Vehicle sensors often supplement the camera system by offering audible warnings when the vehicle comes too close to objects.

Most automakers offer surround-view cameras as standard or optional equipment, particularly on uplevel models and trim levels. Aftermarket surround-view camera systems are also available for older models that don't offer this technology.

The European luxury marques provide several optional views to assist with challenging situations like pulling out of a blind alley onto a busy street. Off-road vehicles use the technology when rock-crawling or cresting a steep rise, and pickup trucks can even "see through" trailers to check on their surroundings.

Some crucial design decisions for a surround-view camera system include camera placement and calibration. It is important that the cameras have a clear view of the vehicle's perimeter without disrupting its aesthetics or functionality. Camera calibration is necessary to compensate for slight differences in output, even when two cameras are mounted in the exact same location.

Backup cameras: Cameras that help decrease the risks associated with driving by giving a better view of what's happening behind the car

Backup cameras are an essential safety feature in vehicles, providing drivers with a clear view of their surroundings and helping to prevent accidents and injuries. All cars sold in the US and Canada from the 2018 model year onwards are required to have a backup camera, and other countries are following suit. This is because backup cameras help decrease the risks associated with driving by giving a better view of what's happening behind the car.

When reversing out of a driveway or parking spot, a backup camera can give you an extra layer of precaution by providing increased visibility of any obstacles, such as a child riding an electric skateboard. Backup cameras are also useful when towing cargo or boats with a trailer hitch. In addition, they can be more ergonomically friendly than twisting and turning in your seat, especially if you have physical limitations that make it difficult to crane your neck.

There are several types of backup cameras available, including license plate cameras, tailgate cameras, and bumper cameras. The corresponding monitor can be placed on the windshield, rearview mirror, or dashboard, or connected to a car stereo receiver with an integrated screen. Wireless backup cameras are also available, which are easier to install and can be paired with a smartphone app for viewing and saving footage. When choosing a backup camera, consider the compatibility with your vehicle, the field of view, and low-light or night vision capabilities.

Some highly-rated backup cameras on the market include the Furrion Vision S 4.3 Inch Wireless Backup System, the Pioneer ND-BC8 Universal backup camera, and the Yakry Y28 HighWay Observation System. These systems offer features such as infrared night vision, motion detection, and virtual parking lines, providing drivers with enhanced visibility and safety when reversing their vehicles.

Frequently asked questions