Insignia Front Camera System With Sign Recognition

***MikeWarner*** · 10-07-2008, 07:13

Vauxhall introduces a first: a dual-function camera that not only reads speed limit and no-overtaking signs and displays them on the instrument panel, but also alerts drivers when they unintentionally veer out of their lane. Known as Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning, the two systems improve driving safety, reduce stress and can even prevent costly speeding tickets.

“These new features follow Vauxhall’s philosophy of enhancing driving excitement by assisting drivers without reducing their level of control,” explains Hans Demant, Managing Director of GME Engineering. “That means the system gives drivers information, but it doesn’t intervene.”

Known as the Front Camera System, the wide-angled, high-resolution camera and processors were jointly developed by Vauxhall/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. Two signal processors filter and read the photos.

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; it will even prioritise a no-overtaking sign over a speed limit warning sign.

When the Lane Departure Warning function is turned on, it uses a second signal processor and software to read traffic lanes and record a driver’s normal lane-changing behaviour, taking into account steering input and indicator usage. If any deviation is detected, an audible and visual warning is sent from the instrument panel, preventing hazardous situations, such as a driver falling asleep at the wheel.

The Front Camera System, featuring Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning will be available as an option on the new Insignia, with other Vauxhall models benefiting from the system in future.

***MikeWarner*** · 10-07-2008, 07:15

Video Attached

Giles · 15-07-2008, 14:41

Cool.

I find this such a cool and exciting idea. It's like driving but without actually any thought going into it as all these lovely gadgets will take away any requirement for the driver to take any notice of what's happening around him.

Did my thinly vailed sarcasum hide my detest for these devices that encourage they driver to just sit there like a vegetable whilst causing carnage all around him as he no longer has to put any thought or attention into driving???

Oh and don't see these as 'aids' - people will get used to relying on them and stop thinking about speed limits and wandering across lanes pretty quickly.
Indeed this has be bourne out by the retards using sat nav without any actual thought like looking at road signs or even thinking roughly where their destination is. You can tell them them a mile off - they're the ones making the last minute lane changes before a junction or suddenly "in 10 yards" turning right.

chip · 15-07-2008, 14:47

Cool technology, but I totally agree with Giles on the mongs who actually use such things.

Jack · 15-07-2008, 14:50

Cool as a proof-of-concept, and at least there is the potential to slip these into mainstream cars and actually be of some benefit without being a massive liability if it breaks.

Byron · 15-07-2008, 16:15

I have driven the new Insignia at length over in Germany. None of the cars I drove had this fitted as yet. Bloody good car btw.

***GTE 16v*** · 15-07-2008, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byron

I have driven the new Insignia at length over in Germany. None of the cars I drove had this fitted as yet. Bloody good car btw.

any pics?

and why didn't you come to Billing?!!

chrex · 10-09-2008, 22:01

this is the downfall of the car taking place right in front of us! Everyone will percieve these gismos as good ideas until, all of a sudden...we're not driving anymore.

And people wonder why nobody can drive these days...well here is the reason. 'Driver Aids'.

Jack · 10-09-2008, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrex

And people wonder why nobody can drive these days...well here is the reason. 'Driver Aids'.

Always wear protection.

Nimraynn · 10-09-2008, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giles

Indeed this has be bourne out by the retards using sat nav without any actual thought like looking at road signs or even thinking roughly where their destination is. You can tell them them a mile off - they're the ones making the last minute lane changes before a junction or suddenly "in 10 yards" turning right.

I so agree. If I don't know where the hell I am and I decide to use my sat nav, at least I'll look at the road signs to see if I can spot a more logical route

I got lost today, and when I finally found where I was, it started trying to take me round in circles through the back streets of Brixton. When I want south east London, and I see a sign pointing left to Croydon (South London), and right to Camberwell and Central London... what am I going to do? Use my brain and go left, or go right like the sat nav is begging me?

This whole camera idea sounds like a bit of a novelty more than a useful tool. It seems cool to have, but can you always trust it? After all, it's a computer, and computers aren't always right! I've known recognition tools to pick up "Monkey" as "Nookay". Bad example here, but what's stopping it from reading 30 as 80? I know we don't have 80 speed limits anywhere... but you get my point.

The wandering into other lanes thing... To be honest, I find you only really do that when you don't quite know the width of your car. I still do it a little, but I do it so much less than I did when I first bought the car about 3 weeks ago. I don't think this system would be anything I'd actually use for very long. It'd probably annoy me more than help me...