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Flir infrared camera gives cars night vision (pictures)

The aftermarket PathFindIR II kit from Flir includes an infrared camera and CPU with pedestrian and animal-detecting processing, equipping cars with safety-enhanced night vision.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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The PathFindIR II kit by FLIR consists of an infrared camera and a CPU designed to give drivers a better view at night.

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The camera "sees" in the infrared spectrum, a lower wavelength than humans can see, but one which allows for better low-light vision.

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The camera includes a video port and is intended to be mounted behind a car's grille. As it needs a clear forward view, the grille will likely need to be modified.

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The camera measures about 2.5 inches thick, making it a difficult fit for modern, small cars.

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The CPU processes the imagery from the camera, using its built-in library to pick out pedestrians and large animals.

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This flat CPU piece can be mounted under the dashboard, out of sight of passengers.

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The camera's infrared imagery shows up in black-and-white, while the CPU highlights pedestrians.

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Yellow boxes show pedestrian locations, even at the far end of a dark alley.

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