BMW Night Vision – Makes the Dark Less Scary

by Priya Sharma Editor

The German automaker, Bavarian Motor Works, packed the BMW 7 Series sedan with optional gadgets ranging from blind spot detection to cruise control. There’s even a head-up display. But the coolest feature is the newest night-vision system that distinguishes between animals and humans.

BMW Night Vision with person recognition makes people and large animals visible on the dashboard from a distance using heat imaging and brightens them with the Dynamic Marker Light in the main headlight.

BMW Night Vision System: An Overview

BMW Night Vision uses an infrared sensor to detect people and animals from a distance. The sensor is a video camera, mounted in the BMW kidney grille that catches infrared bands just above visible light. As soon as the system determines a pedestrian or animal, a sound alert and a visual warning are given to the driver on the Control Display. With acute warning, the brakes are primed thereby avoiding any chance of collision.

This newest system employs algorithms to determine whether an infrared hot spot is an object or a moving thing near the roadway. The car won’t slow down automatically though, but give a warning signal on the dashboard to alert the driver about the person or animal. It’s like an extra set of eyes. In addition, the system is built to function not only at night but even in rain or foggy conditions.

Though many manufacturers have launched night vision systems in the past, the BMW Night Vision proved to have far better resolution and improved object & pedestrian recognition.

The Importance of Night Vision

Each year lakhs of pedestrians are killed, and thousands are injured, when hit by a car. Nearly 70 percent of those accidents happen at night when drivers have limited visibility.

Regardless of headlight type (LEDs or HIDs), the road accident’s graph hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Even the best headlights do not provide enough visibility that allows the driver to see, react and immediately apply brakes to pedestrians or objects unless they are going rather slowly. This means any technology that helps improve our nighttime visibility should positively affect pedestrian safety.

BMW night vision detects and alerts the driver about pedestrians, cyclists and deer beyond the reach of headlamps. BMW’s done a good job by launching this Night Vision feature in its models. It is a well worth technology, so you should definitely consider it when planning to buy a new BMW car.

For more information on the BMW Night Vision feature, consider visiting an authorized BMW dealer like Libra Autohaus in New Delhi. Check all the BMW car models displayed in their inventory. Schedule a test drive, understand the features and take home your new BMW.