Back-up cameras are becoming increasingly popular on new vehicles and we are seeing more and more models capable of being equipped with them. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet car or truck in Grapevine,have you given any thought at all to springing for the back-up camera option? If you haven’t or you’re currently on the fence, get a load of this: According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), back-over accidents cause an average of 229 deaths and 18,000 injuries per year.
I’m sure you’ve all heard at least one story of a parent accidentally running over a toddler and that alone should be reason enough for all of us to want to have a back-up camera on our vehicles. If you don’t have children, think about the neighborhood children or pets.
On a less depressing note, back-up cameras can also help you become a better parallel parker and help you to see one of the largest blind spots on your vehicle. I can now honestly say that I am a fantastic parallel parker now. Thanks, of course, to my back-up camera, but still.
Have you heard that the NHTSA is currently working on legislation to pass a new safety regulation that will require all new automobiles to come standard with a backup camera by 2014? That’s right, Grapevine. Even if you aren’t planning to buy a new Chevrolet any time soon, you’re next model could come with a back-up camera as standard!
NHSTA’s plan is to phase in over the next four years starting with 10 percent of new cars sold expected to comply with the mandate by 2012, 40 percent by 2013 and 100 percent by 2014. Though this regulation will not come cheap, NHTSA says it could save 95 to 112 lives per year and prevent 7,000 to 8,000 more injuries.
It’s estimated that the addition of rear-view camera equipment will cost between $159 to $203 per car, or $88 to $158 on vehicles already equipped with some sort of display screen — like one used for navigation. NHTSA says the total approximate cost to equip their estimate of 16.6 million vehicles sold in 2014, would be between $1.9 billion and $2.7 billion. [Source CNNMoney.com]
If you’re about to make a purchase today, you’re still presented with the option, and you already know where I stand… do it! In case I still haven’t convinced you, head down to Classic Chevrolet and test drive one of the many models equipped with a back-up camera and see for yourself!
Over the past decade, road trips have become much less painful for backseat passengers due to all of the handheld technology (Gameboys, iPhones, DVD players, etc.) we now have, but according to GM, psychological studies have indicated that car passengers often feel disconnected from their environment.
In response to these studies, the GM Research and Development department challenged researchers and students from the FUTURE LAB at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Israel to conceptualize new ways to help rear seat passengers, particularly children, have a richer experience on the road. Thus, the Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Project was born. And believe me, Texas Chevrolet owners, you’re going to be blown away with what they came up with… interactive car window displays.
In a GM press release, Tom Seder, GM R&D lab group manager for human-machine interface said, “Traditionally, the use of interactive displays in cars has been limited to the driver and front passenger, but we see an opportunity to provide a technology interface designed specifically for rear seat passengers. Advanced windows that are capable of responding to vehicle speed and location could augment real world views with interactive enhancements to provide entertainment and educational value.”
Before you get too excited, I must tell you that GM currently doesn’t have any plans to put this into production. The Bezalel students were given free reign to create applications for this interactive window without having to worry about whether it could be mass produced or not. So it’s uncertain whether this idea will ever come to light. Still, the design and idea is pretty incredible.
The apps the Bezalel students developed include:
Otto, an animated character projected over passing scenery that responds to real-time car performance, weather and landscape. With Otto, passengers can learn about their environment in fun, playful ways.
Foofu, an app that allows passengers to create, explore and discover through finger drawing on window steam.
Spindow, an app that provides its users a peek into other users’ windows around the globe in real time.
Pond, an app that allows passengers to stream and share music with other cars on the road, download favorite tracks, and share messages with other passengers on the road.
GM released this awesome video detailing the project and showing us how the students simulated a vehicle environment. Check it out, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy lovers.
[Source: General Motors]
Thanks to Cassidy Schafer for contributing.
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Hi, I'm Hagen Durant, General Manager of Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, TX - I am a huge car and truck enthusiast and love talking cars. I'm a cyclist, health nut, father, geek, and drummer. I look forward to giving you great information about cars and trucks, driving tips, maintenance and so much more.
If you have any questions or would like to make suggestions feel free to email them to me at hagen@classicchevytexas.com
Back-up cameras are becoming increasingly popular on new vehicles and we are seeing more and more models capable of being equipped with them. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet car or truck in Grapevine, have you given any thought at all to springing for the back-up camera option? If you haven’t or you’re currently on the fence, get a load of this: According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), back-over accidents cause an average of 229 deaths and 18,000 injuries per year.
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