BMW Designs a Vehicle Without Any Mirrors

Cars need mirrors to provide drivers with the visuals they need to stay on top of potential dangers on the road. Rearview mirrors and side door mirrors are prevalent in almost every type of vehicle, and it can be difficult for drivers to imagine a car that does not use such mirrors. With recent developments in camera technology, however, it is possible that cars without mirrors may become a reality very soon. BMW recently unveiled a brand new mirrorless concept vehicle, planning to provide drivers with visuals of their vehicle's blind spots and rear without the use of physical mirrors. The vehicle was released as a way to showcase how far camera technology had come, and many automakers hope to follow the vehicle's example in order to provide drivers with reliable visuals without the use of mirrors.

Automakers from all over the world are planning to replace both rearview and side view mirrors in their vehicles with more efficient camera monitoring systems. Analysts project that this change may occur within the next few years, and many Japanese automakers are already making plans for their mirrorless vehicles, having gotten the necessary legal okay from legislators in the country. European automakers may follow suit sooner than drivers originally anticipated as well.

To provide drivers with the most reliable visuals, the monitoring systems use high-quality cameras to reliably stream high-definition videos into a display located in the vehicle's cockpit. In the BMW i8 concept vehicle, the cameras are placed on either side of the car, where the vehicle's side view mirrors would otherwise be located. Not only do the cameras provide drivers with a necessary visual service, but they are also extremely ergonomic. They are much smaller than regular sideview mirrors, which can be advantageous for the clear visuals they provide drivers while minimizing the risk of them becoming damaged. The smaller cameras can also make the vehicle much more aerodynamic, improving mileage over the long-term.

The third camera is positioned around the interior of the rear window. It is designed to immediately capture footage of whatever is going on behind the vehicle. Software systems used with the cameras all drivers to get a wider visual of what is going on, allowing them to cover more ground in order to avoid potential incidents. Through the advanced use of additional warning technology, drivers can expect to receive all types of alerts as they drive as well. The cameras can help better eliminate blind spots and keep the driver aware of all types of issues on the road. With such developments soon to be available, it is easy to see why so many drivers are looking forward to these hardware changes to future vehicles.