Cadillac CT6 will get streaming video mirror

Cadillac CT6 will get streaming video mirror
Cadillac's prototype rearview mirror capable of live-streaming an image from a camera mounted on the rear of a vehicle Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Warren, Michigan. Credit: Rob Widdis for General Motors

Cadillac said Thursday it will add high resolution streaming video to the function of a rearview mirror, so that the driver's vision and safety can be enhanced. The technology will debut on the 2016 Cadillac CT6. That means visual obstructions—passengers, headrests, car roof and rear pillars—can be removed.

"The closest comparison to this kind of rear vision would be driving a convertible with the top down," said Travis Hester, Cadillac CT6 executive chief engineer. Researchers and engineers have been at work to deliver an end result of image calibration, de-warping, glare reduction and camera hardware design. The announcement said the streaming video mirror improves field of vision by an estimated 300 percent, or roughly four times greater than a standard rearview mirror. Other differences from the traditional rearview with the video feed are reduced glare and crisper image in low-light situations. The display is a 1280 by 240-pixel TFT-LCD display with 171 pixels per inch, combined with a HD camera, to enhance rear view lane width and maximize low-light situations. The camera is given a water-shedding hydrophobic coating to keep it clean and maintain visibility regardless of driving conditions. If the driver wants to swing back to a traditional electrochromatic rearview mirror, however, the function can be disabled. This can be done by flipping a toggle on the underside of the mirror.

Reporter Mike Colias said in Automotive News on Thursday that Gentex will supply the mirror and Sharp produces the HD camera, according to a Cadillac spokesperson. Video processing technology was jointly developed by Sharp and GM. Colias also described how this will look: "The camera will be mounted on the car's rear end and stream to the , providing a wide view of the lanes behind the car, including traditional blind spots." Colias said that the CT6 sedan is expected to be unveiled this spring at the New York auto show next year in New York City.

Cadillac CT6 will get streaming video mirror
Cadillac's prototype rearview mirror capable of live-streaming an image from a camera mounted on the rear of a vehicle Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Warren, Michigan. Credit: Rob Widdis for General Motors

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this year issued a final rule requiring rear visibility technology in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. The rule applies to all vehicles under 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, manufactured on or after May 1, 2018, The vehicles will need to be equipped with rear visibility technology that expands the field of view, to enable the driver to detect areas behind the vehicle. The NHTSA said that, "In fact, at this point, many companies are installing rear visibility systems on their own, due to consumer demand."

Cadillac CT6 will get streaming video mirror
Cadillac's prototype rearview mirror capable of live-streaming an image from a camera mounted on the rear of a vehicle, increasing the driver’s rearward field of vision by approximately 300 percent compared to a traditional rearview mirror. (Pre-production unit shown.)

More information: media.cadillac.com/media/us/en … cadillac-mirror.html

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