Yesterday, I saw a curious news, saying: "Develop a 3D mirror for cars of the future". Again, some Spanish researchers are situated, with a long-term project, in the forefront of research.
A research seeks to replace current side mirrors of cars, by a plenoptic camera (3D), reproducing a three-dimensional image, from the outside, on a monitor, located inside the vehicle.
A camera, outside and a monitor, inside the car
The rearview mirror, part of a project called Pleno3D, developing a consortium, in which the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) participates, provides driving safety.
The researcher of the Institute of Optics, CSIC, Gabriel Cristóbal, explains that "the advantage, that would provide a plenoptic camera, in front of a traditional, is that, using a single camera, technology developed would provide additional information on the actual distances that found objects", according to the CSIC.
Human vision is binocular, ie, it captures two different images of the same scene. The brain then compares and merges, to provide information, about the depth of the environment. This information loses accuracy, when nearby objects are reflected in a conventional rear mirror.
To improve image quality, perceived by the driver, researchers are designing a camera, that will reconstruct the three-dimensional environment, using computer vision technology.
It is still expected this camera has a number of tiny lenses, that capture so many images, through different angles and positions, the effect is similar to the eyes of a fly.
The sum of all of them will offer an unique three-dimensional image, that will allow contemplating the scene, from certain perspectives, without using special glasses.
Furthermore, this system will provide information, at real-time, on the monitor, as: the exact position of other vehicles or pedestrians, calculate the distance to any object that is next to the car, to facilitate parking maneuvers, among others. This will become an efficient tool for driving assistance, according to scientists.
Pleno3D, is a part of a project, “Innpacto”, with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The consortium, that develops it, is formed by the Institute of Optics, in the CSIC; theTechnological Institute of Optics, Color, and Image; The Group Ficosa, Tedesys and GreenLight.
Well, I think this project is very interesting, because, thanks to it, we will have more security, in our cars. I hope that we can see this special rear mirror, in market.
Until my next post, kind regards,
Luis.
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