Nissan has introduced a smart rearview mirror that integrates a backup camera and could be commonly implemented into vehicle production as federal regulations tighten on such technology.
The smart mirror sits at the usual rearview mirror spot but has an LCD screen that can be activated by the driver, Jalopnik reported. The screen uses a 1,300,000-pixel camera to give the driver a full, unobstructed view behind the car.
"The great thing about this is it eliminates both blind spots and views obscured by C-pillars, tall people in the backseat, or stuff in the hatchback," Jalopnik described. "Got a car whose rear visibility isn't so great, like a Nissan 370Z? Not a problem anymore."
According to the company, the camera works in all kinds of weather and dims automatically depending on the light. If the camera isn't needed, it can be turned off so the mirror can return to normal.
Nissan plans to offer the smart mirror on cars in the Japanese market this spring and then debut the technology globally in 2015. The Japanese carmaker is also testing the smart rearview mirror on the ZEOD RC electric race car set, competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, as well as on other NISMO race cars.
Lawmakers have been looking to implement new regulations for auto rear visibility standards, according to an Automotive News report.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration submitted the plan early this year, but details on the reworked standards haven't yet been reported.
If the new regulations are strict, carmakers could begin putting backup cameras on all their vehicles. The main goal of the initiative is to prevent children from being run over and killed by vehicles driving in reverse.
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