Blind Spot Detection

Basic Description

A person seated in the driver's seat of a typical car or truck depends on the rear view mirror and two side mirrors to see vehicles approaching from behind. However, vehicles or other objects on either side and slightly behind a car may be in an area that is outside the field of view of the these mirrors. This region is called the vehicle's blind spot. Driver's education classes emphasize the importance of checking for vehicles in the blind spot before attempting to make a lane change. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of collisions occur every year during lane changes.

Blind spot detectors use radar or image sensors to monitor a vehicle's blind spots and alert the driver when other vehicles are present. The alert indication is normally a yellow or red light located in or near the side mirrors that illuminates when a vehicle enters the blind spot associated with that particular side of the vehicle.

Sensors

Radar and/or image sensor, vehicle speed sensor

Actuators

Light or display (usually in side mirrors).

Data Communications

Some units are self-contained (i.e. no data communication). Others may use CAN or LIN buses.

Manufacturers

Continental, Delphi, LaneFX, Smartmicro, SMR, Valeo, Visteon

For More Information

[1] In Search of the Ideal Blind-Spot Detection System, Frost & Sullivan, June 2004.

[2] The New Volvo S80's Blind Spot Detector, Kicking Tires Blog, cars.com.

[3] Side Blind Spot Detection : DigInfo, YouTube video, 2007.

[4] Blind spot (automobile), Wikipedia.