bradley emmanuel

BMW made two years ago the beginning: the first production car was the optional 7 Series, not only with a night vision device, but also get a traffic sign detection. Opel Insignia and recently moved to with even the most compact Astra. Mercedes also equips its models of the E-and S-Class for an additional charge from now with a camera system that can read road signs.

Read Cameras standardized speed limit signs

"The map data for navigation systems containing only about 65 to 70 percent of all speed limits," said Artur Russ, head of development at BMW driver-assistance systems, "Above all, these data are purely static and thus do not reflect any construction or traffic bridges on motorways with variable speed limits. This is the case us differently. "

A small camera in Wide-VGA technology behind the interior rear reading the signs that stand at the roadside. The Camera Eye Sees such a speed limit, it shows that in comparison with the maps on the hard drive navigation system of the new BMW 7 series and warns the driver of any speed overshoot. The intelligent system detects all speed limits by countries that belong to the Vienna Convention. The participating States have agreed that a speed limit characteristic of a round shield with a red outer ring and an identifying number for the speed limit. In most countries, the new 7 Series system can therefore shine with almost clairvoyant abilities.

The situation is different, for example in the U.S. - the United States has no standardized speed signs. Artur Russ: "The customer benefits in the city, on highways and country roads alike - but especially on longer journeys."

The system warns, but does not slow down

Initial approaches for similar systems were already there before ten to 15 years. However, camera technology and computer processors are only now as far as that recorded during the trip images can be processed rapidly and without error. Is the windshield wipers, the system can recognize, for example, a speed limit in wet conditions. "We'll leave it at that, alert the driver in a display information only on the speed limit," said Artur soot. Interference in the electronics or even a brake, it will not happen. Despite high tech is the 7 Series as well as its little brother, the BMW 5 series has just been enrolled in the first place. Can be detected only pure speed limits. If you drive, for example, at one entrance sign over into a closed city, the computer goes back to the on-board maps of the disk. "Of course there were also problems in the development," said Artur Russ, "then gave us the special letter of the Swiss speed signs long occupied. Additionally, we had to by a variety of passes to make sure that the camera system is not the speed limits on trucks ahead of schedule accesses. " Heavy rain, a low sun or fog to make the system the way, no worries.

End of speed limit will not be recognized

A similar system is now also available in the Opel Insignia / Astra, and thus in the compact and mid-volume on the market. The system has the same features as the BMW. With little residue moved with his models of the Mercedes E-Class and S-after. They have not only distance cruise control, night vision and lane departure warning, but just a traffic sign recognition system on the market. Even Toyota / Lexus and Volvo make intelligent camera systems promptly at the start.

But at the camera systems is not all gold that glitters. An exit with a Mercedes E 220 CDI T-model shows that the technology is still not mature for long. Thus, the Stuttgart family station wagon in the central display shows the speed limit even as a speed limit, if it applies only in wet conditions or at certain times. Still annoying: the system only recognizes the speed limit, but not its repeal.