From the past to the future, innovations in auto technologies, mainly those that help us drivers are eagerly awaited. And this years Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at Las Vegas did not disappoint.
FLIR (forward looking infra red), originally used by the military and law enforcement agencies, to enable their vehicles with night-vision, was demonstrated on civilian cars at the CES this month. It was displayed on a classy BMW, which as you know has recently showcased a small and green version of its car at the auto Show in Detroit!
The FLIR camera provides vision for up to a kilometer in the dark, making it a peach for driving in the dark. But for some strange reason the camera displays the infra-red video mounted on the rear-view mirror of the car?? At least this was the case at the display in Las Vegas....maybe the individual driver will have the freedom to place the camera and the screen where s/he chooses.
Since FLIR is based on the concept that every object emits heat, and shows up against the relatively colder night-environment, there are drawbacks. While human beings and animals show up at great distances, some inanimate objects blocking the road, may not display very clearly until the last moment, making it very difficult to avoid hitting them.
FLIR systems are costly, setting you back by $2000, which is as much as that small new Indian car the Nano!
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