So I had this 'my fault' accident . . .

It might be info overload. I do not like using my back-up camera for the most part as I find that I have a wider field of view looking over my shoulder. The camera gives a bit of tunnel vision and also makes me feel a bit removed from what is happening. Having a small screen split into 4 images I think would be tough to manage.

The solution that seems very cool is what Cadillac is doing with the vibrating seat - the early reviews are that it works very well and is very instinctive. Unforgettably it is a new system offered at least for now only by GM, but perhaps it will make its way into other cars.

 

Sorry to hear about the accident.

Seems to me having cameras/monitor would be more distracting than helping.

 

I agree with everyone else......one might get to dependent on the cameras as well

 

My neighbor has a Lexus LX 570 with the cameras like in the video...it works very well

 

i would like a front bumper camera. when i come to a T intersection and i'm making a left, and there is room for cars to pull up on my right, i can't see anything coming from the right. might need a periscope to see over the vans, trucks and suv's tho!

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. I must agree with the others on the info overload.

 

I might start with a netbook and USB webcams. You can use either matlab like image processing, or even something like catspy/ iSpy to highlight changing pixels in red. When you are stopped most of the scenery is static.

I have a feeling the small video in a security monitor will make it even harder to see and pay attention then to something like a cyclist when you are checking for cars.

Though if you can route the security monitor output video to something like a Rear View Mirror Monitor, that might work.

 

Bob, I think you've got a great idea. Go for it.

 

Well Bob, you just had the accident that I dread the most. Parking a large SUV or truck next to the entrance/exit of a parking lot is just asking for trouble. Somehow you have to pull out to see if it's safe puts you in big danger. Sorry you had to go through it.
As far as cameras, you have a choice of hundreds to choose from. I would look for a small narrow field of view, and put one in each side of the front of the car. You have to take pains to water proof it good. then you will need either a Quad split unit, however I would go with a switch to select one at a time. For pulling out of parking lot, activate the camera that shows the traffic you will be merging with, that's the most important camera for that moment in time.
Actually, come to think about it, just that one camera in the front would do the trick.

 

you can put one in the footwell so we can see where your feet are after you claim u/a!

 

Bob, this is a quest that I have been bitten by also. My main concern is the resolution that the cameras have. Most of the small sealed units I have found are about 480, which is normal for NTSC video, but they have real wide field of 110° to 130°+ views. That kinda negates reading a license plate number most of the time.The narrow (90°) are much better for that kind of thing, but hard to find! I like the idea of a central recorder.
Have you checked out "DealExtreme" here is the URL...
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For a split second I considered those waterproof backup cameras, but then, everything would be backwards......duh...