MotorAuthority

Opel Insignia to feature front camera safety system

Posted Wed Jun 18 2008 6:07 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Opel’s new Insignia sedan will debut with a dual-function front camera system designed to read passing speed limit and no-overtaking signs and relay this information to the driver via the instrument panel, as well as a lane departure warning feature.

Known as the ‘Front Camera System,’ the wide-angled, high-resolution camera and processors were jointly developed by Opel engineers and specialists from supplier Hella. The camera, located between the windscreen and the rear-view mirror, detects road signs and lane markings. It’s not much bigger than a mobile phone, yet can take 30 pictures per second.

Depending on light conditions, the traffic sign recognition function begins to repeatedly read signs at 100 metres. It starts by focusing on circular patterns then identifies the numbers inside them via contour comparison. When a match is found in the car’s software, the sign is displayed in the instrument panel.

The lane departure system uses a second signal processor and software to read traffic lanes and record a driver’s normal lane-changing behavior, taking into account steering input and indicator usage. If any deviation is detected, an audible and visual warning is displayed.

The new safety feature will be an option on the new Opel Insignia and its Vauxhall twin when the cars officially go on sale later in the year, and it will eventually filter across more of GM’s products in the future.

Opel Insignia Front Camera System

2009 Opel Insignia interior reveal

2009 Opel Insignia

story Tags:

• General Motors
• Safety

Reader Comments

• Wed Jun 18 2008 7:42 PM

  Gus says

  Intersting.
  But isn't it obvious where it's safe (and legal) to pass and where it isn't?
  
  Maybe I'm just old, but unless the car drives itself completely, I want to drive it completely...

• Wed Jun 18 2008 9:14 PM

  RB says

  quite agree Gus - its probably aimed at the rep who 'needs' all the latest gadgets!
  
  I can see a safety advantage for lane departure warning - especially if you are going to sleep!. The speed info - I would have thought '- is an added feature based on the lane departure technology. Thought if you really wanted that info it ought to be through ther nav system maps?
  
  But all these gadgets simply 'bandage' over the problem rather than fix the orig problem - ie the human bit!

• Thu Jun 19 2008 4:56 AM

  Alan says

  Although i've never being keen on driving aids, i've always believed that if you can't decide when to change lane, or when to stop when the car in front slows, then you shouldn't be driving at all. However, the speed sign recognition tool could be ver useful, potentially saving hefty fines