AUGUST 30, 2007--The latest camera-based automotive safety systems aim to counter unavoidable human conditions such as inattentiveness. The systems, according to ABI Research (New York, NY, USA; www.abiresearch.com), will enjoy a market well in excess of $100 million by 2012.
"Acknowledgment of the inherent flaws in human beings has led automobile manufacturers and suppliers to develop new technologies that can save drivers from themselves," says principal analyst David Alexander. "Systems that can analyze road situations and provide additional warnings to drivers have started to appear in newer car models, and the camera is at the heart of many of them." Keeping cost down is critical to consumer acceptance, and indications are that the newest machine vision technology will make these advanced safety features affordable for all.
"Having the car look out for other vehicles and track the road ahead is one major area of current development," adds Alexander, "but watching the driver and passengers is another very important camera-based application that is beginning to emerge." Occupant detection and monitoring allows "smart" automobiles to customize airbag deployment to the size and position of the passengers. As this technology advances there will be additional safety and comfort capabilities added.
A study by ABI Research, Camera-Based Automotive Systems, examines all aspects of the rapidly developing technology of automotive machine vision (www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/CBAS). While obstacle detection is a very important part of the study, it also covers driver monitoring and occupant detection. Warning the driver of visible signs of fatigue is as significant as identifying a potential collision, because until OEMs are confident that the reliability of these systems has grown to the point that the vehicle can take evasive action, the driver is still in total control.
The research provides an analysis of global market trends, costs, and technological evaluations of the different approaches and strategies used by safety-system developers, as well as discussion of recent product announcements. System sales forecasts are provided globally, by region and by application, through 2012. The study forms part of ABI Research's Driver Assistance Systems Research Service.