BMW has introduced a concept named i8 Mirrorless at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that’s taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The concept’s name couldn’t be clearer: it’s an i8 without mirrors. BMW has sent the mirrors back to the parts bin and replaced them with a pair of tiny cameras mounted in aerodynamic, wing-shaped holders on the doors and an additional camera located right above the rear window. Each camera features dirt-repellent coating and a Gorilla Glass Type 2 lens.
The footage captured by the three devices is digitally stitched and transferred to a high-resolution, 11.8-inch wide screen that replaces the traditional rear-view mirror. The system gives the driver a panoramic view of what’s behind the i8, and it provides visual warnings if it detects that another car, a motorcycle, or a cyclist is traveling in one of the blind spots. Passengers benefit from the mirror-less setup, too, because they have a clearer view of the outside world and they’re not bothered by glare.
BMW’s mirror-less technology sounds promising, but it won’t arrive in showrooms in the near future because state and federal regulations require that all cars have at least two mirrors. Automakers — notably Tesla — have been petitioning the NHTSA to allow cameras. Officials are taking the request seriously, but they haven’t revealed when a final decision will be made.
Careful observers will note that the Volkswagen XL1 boasts similar technology, though the cameras transfer images to individual screens integrated into the door panels.
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