Infrared cameras could make driving safer

New cars could be fitted with infrared night vision cameras to make driving safer, after German scientists have developed a camera that works at room temperature.

According to Gizmag, night vision cameras enable drivers to see more clearly when driving at night on dark, unlit roads. They have already started to appear in luxury cars, but they require the cars to be fitted with infrared headlights to light up the road ahead.

This latest development could encourage safety conscious car buyers to upgrade their existing vehicles to one that comes with a mobile infrared camera to make night driving safer.

Usually such cameras needed to be constantly cool to work properly. This would be too difficult and expensive to add to road vehicles, until now.

Gizmag claims that such technology does already exist, but only in the military.

According to The Telegraph, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems has created a new infrared sensor that will be made available on the European market for the first time. The technology uses microbolomoters which convert heat signals into digital information to provide a 2D image.

This new technology can work at room temperature. It means that, unlike already existing infrared cameras, it doesn't require a cooling mechanism to work. As a consequence, the new infrared cameras will be less heavy which means a longer batter life. This could lead to hand-held infrared devices becoming commonplace, claims Dr Dirk Weiler, the chief scientist behind the technology.

The original tests have been successful, and scientists have been able to produce clear images with the sensor, claims the Faunhofer Institute.

 

Francis Monger, Thatcham, FORD MONDEO ESTATE

Ian Williamson, Bristol, LEXUS LS 600H