What's behind rear-view cameras
-The backup camera, the bird's eye view to a dangerous place.
Out here, some 300 people a year are killed in back-over accidents, another 18,000 or so are injured.
You don't have eyes in the back of your head, but it sure helps to have one on the back of your car.
Our partners at State Farm pointed out the tragic reality that 44 percent of back-over fatalities involve kids under five who can be impossible to see via the car's
mirrors or even looking at the back.
And people over 70 are at the next greatest risk, accounting for a full third of back-over fatalities.
That's why federal authorities are moving to soon require a basic backup camera in every car over a multi-year phase-in period.
Now, since you're watching this show, I know you're interested in what the technologies are that are available, both on the car you buy from the factory or the camera you add to the car you have already.
All but the most basic backup cams today display both trajectory lines and distance lines.
They may also combine with sonar sensors to give you an audible or even visual indication of proximity.
We've seen more cars come with variable view rear cams since about the 2012 model year.
They let you magnify or change the angle of view of the backup camera.
If you want more than a rearview, there are front camera pairs mounted on the front bumper corners and they let you nose out of a tight spot, for example.
And there are bird's eye view camera systems that use front, rear, and side mirror cams to give you a look at the car's perimeter.
Night vision cameras are still quite exotic but found in some high-end cars.
They display what's out there based on infrared technology and some will even call out what appears to be a pedestrian or animal based on its heat signature.
With so many cars coming from the factory with an LCD screen on the dash, displaying the view may be no issue.
And what if you got an older car?
You drive a 2000 Sentra, how do you get rearview camera into this guy?
There's not even a screen here, just vents.
Well, a couple of ways.
You can get an aftermarket camera kit that will give you the rearview in a portion of the rearview mirror.
Hook that up to a camera you can add to the back.
Or that same camera you add in the back can feed a screen that pops here, a motorized one, out of a single din aftermarket stereo.
It's a little slower to invoke if it's not already up, but it gets you there.
I'd like to tell you these cameras are a perfect solution, but in my experience, the key is to not rely on them too much.
They show you a lot, but they also edit out much and they can really distort the
distance and rate at which you're approaching an object.
Oh, by the way, here's a favorite low-tech tip for high-tech cars which are almost soundproof these days, drop the window as well as the radio when you're backing up.
It might just buy you the reaction time between whoa and crunch.
Up Next
Crash Testing New Electric Cars Proves They're Typically Safer
Up Next
Crash Testing New Electric Cars Proves They're Typically Safer
See What Makes the Best Tire for Your Electric Car
See What Makes the Best Tire for Your Electric Car
Why Are So Many Electric Cars, Scooters and Bikes Burning?
Why Are So Many Electric Cars, Scooters and Bikes Burning?
Seen the New 2023 Prius? Here's Why It's Turning Heads
Seen the New 2023 Prius? Here's Why It's Turning Heads
The Bestselling EVs of 2022
The Bestselling EVs of 2022
Best Dash Cams: A Buying Guide
Best Dash Cams: A Buying Guide
GM's Electric Pickups Head On: Comparing the Sierra EV to the Silverado EV
GM's Electric Pickups Head On: Comparing the Sierra EV to the Silverado EV
Meet a Mind-Bending Hybrid: The Sono Sion Solar-Grid EV
Meet a Mind-Bending Hybrid: The Sono Sion Solar-Grid EV
These Are the Cars That Qualify Now for the New Tax Credit
These Are the Cars That Qualify Now for the New Tax Credit
Don't Buy an EV Until You See the Most Important Ones Coming in 2023
Don't Buy an EV Until You See the Most Important Ones Coming in 2023
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
New Xbox Leaked
New Xbox Leaked
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro