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Pedro_The_Swift
7th June 2008, 08:32 AM
Filed under: Gadgets (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gadgets/), Sedans/Saloons (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Tech (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), BMW (http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/bmw_7-series_nightvision.jpg (http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/06/05/improved-night-vision-for-next-2009-bmw-7-series/)

The next BMW 7-Series (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/04/rumormill-2009-bmw-7-series-coming-july-7th/) is going to be graced with some serious driving technology. While the image above doesn't appear to have anything like the picture quality of Mercedes' NightVision Assist, BMW's offering will have some other features that you probably won't find this side of a special ops base.

The second-gen night vision system will be able to detect humans in the road because it will use thermal imaging. It will alert the driver of human impediments up to 100 meters ahead, and it won't be confused by humans on the sidewalk. If a collision is imminent, a flashing warning triangle will appear on the screen and the heads-up display.

European versions of the car won't have to rely on navigation software to know the speed limit of a given road. A camera behind the rear-view mirror will read street sings in any country that is signed to the Vienna Convention -- which doesn't include the U.S. That function will work in any weather, even fog. It won't limit the speed of the car, but it will warn the driver if his or her speed is excessive. Word is they are considering naming the system "Hal." Thanks for the tip, Chris!

[Source: BMWblog (http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/06/05/improved-night-vision-for-next-2009-bmw-7-series/)]


The camera found in the Night-Vision-system will be improved as well, featuring a better resolution and improved object-recognition. The system will warn the driver if he is in danger of a collision with any detected object or human. To test this technique they test drove over 250.000 kilometers at night, so the error margins are pretty slim. That's pretty impressive I would say.



I wonder if it will work on Kangaroos----

vnx205
7th June 2008, 09:10 AM
=Pedro_The_Swift;759161
Word is they are considering naming the system "Hal."

Anyone who has seen the film "2001, a Space Odyssey" would be a bit worried about that choice of name.

George130
7th June 2008, 04:24 PM
Anyone who has seen the film "2001, a Space Odyssey" would be a bit worried about that choice of name.
:D:D:D
That's the name of my home network!

Cap
8th June 2008, 09:17 AM
What I like to know, is that with all the high tech stuff, ABS, traction stuff, computer controlled brakes, Night detection gizmo, etc etc, if you are involved in a colision (run over a person) how liable are you then in the eyes of the Law??

EchiDna
8th June 2008, 09:37 AM
well the bigger issue I see is it detects people on the road... great... but what about roos, cattle, horses, pigs etc etc... useless in Oz with the limitations of not responding to 'humans' on the "sidewalk"...