Surround View Camera
Surround View was originally designed to give the driver new and previously unobtainable viewpoints of their vehicle, using typically 4 cameras and an ECU. These viewpoints benefit the driver in multiple scenarios; ranging from checking your blind-spot when changing lanes on the motorway, to pulling off a parallel park without grinding the wheels.
From this classical version of Surround View there have been some organic product extensions to challenge some emerging, pre-existing and overlapping markets. The Surround View segment offers a host of viewing only and intelligent products, Rear View ‘one box’ Systems, Mirror Viewing Systems, and the next generation 3D Surround View Systems. Scalable solutions for Surround View is provided by 4 fish eye cameras with >180° horizontal field of view to see everything around the vehicle. Combining these cameras allows creation of any view around the vehicle.
Surround view can be offered in different automotive segments. The basic version offers a pure 360-degree 3D image to assist in parking and maneuvering at low speeds. In contrast to existing systems, however, it employs only two cameras: one in front mounted in the grill and one in the rear mounted near the license plate. This entry-level system is especially suited for use in the compact-car segment due to its attractive cost structure. Still other levels will be available, all the way up to an intelligent, active surround view system.
Consisting of four cameras – in front, in the rear and on the outside rearview mirrors – it can not only monitor the area all around the vehicle but also recognize pedestrians, warn the driver or even stop the vehicle in critical situations. The system is particularly suited to city driving because, for example, it is able to recognize nearby pedestrians early. It is also capable of capturing other vehicles crossing a car’s path, holding a lane and even recognizing curbing.
This premium version of the surround view system will even permit vehicles to park themselves automatically, even if there is no driver inside.