Smile For The Camera

The majestic Chevy Tahoe in its natural environment.

When the topic of cameras comes to mind, I always think back to 2007, when my dad ordered a new, fully loaded Chevy Tahoe. It was by far the largest vehicle my family had ever owned, but most excitingly, it was the first vehicle I’d ever come across that had one of the biggest tech innovations at the time – a backup camera. According to Edmunds, it weighed in at just under 2.5 metric tonnes and over 5 metres in length. If any vehicle needed a backup camera, it was this one.

Overhead views makes parking in tight spaces a breeze.

To say that backup cameras were a great innovation would be an understatement. While they make life easier for motorists that dislike looking over their shoulder while reversing, they most importantly provide an unprecedented level of safety for preventing rearward collisions.

Did you know that on average, over 200 people die each year after being struck by reversing cars, in addition to 15,000 others being injured? That number is staggering, which is why thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, backup cameras will become standard by law in 2018.

New front-facing cameras help give drivers a 360° view.

I’m really happy to see this become a standard piece of equipment on new cars, considering that nearly a decade ago, this was a “luxury option” that cost thousands of dollars. Now, automakers are expanding from including only a backup camera, to including a system of (at least) four cameras that produce a 360° image. This of course means that you’ll be able to see what’s in front, behind, and on both sides of you.

I’ve had the chance to drive a new Mercedes with the 360° camera system on it, and I think it’s fantastic. One day, I’m sure this feature will come standard on all cars, and it’ll help not only those among us that "park by braille", but will also lead to fewer avoidable injuries and deaths. So next time you see someone reversing towards you, be sure to smile for the camera.

On The Road Again

I drive a Jeep, but only get it muddy on occasion. 

Hi everyone, and welcome to Innovation On Wheels. Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! Two of my passions in life are cars and technology. I'm hoping that with this blog, I'll be able to convey my combined love of these topics in a way that will be interesting, and maybe even – apologies in advance – educational too.

It’s safe to say that technology plays a huge role in our lives. Typically, new innovations aim to improve our lives in some form or another. Within the auto industry, this means finding new ways to keep drivers and their passengers safe, while also providing us with new conveniences and luxuries. 

It’s also interesting to note that innovations in the auto industry don’t just stay within the realm of passenger vehicles. Did you know that technologies are commonly transferred between ordinary road cars and Formula One race cars? It's hard to believe, but that strange looking hybrid car that you just passed on the highway has more in common with an F1 can than you might expect.

My friend's Mercedes 300E, before it joined the great
scrapheap in the sky.

From new infotainment systems that aim to fully integrate your smartphone in the car, to cars that practically drive themselves, I’ll be covering a wide range of topics. Some innovations are really useful, while others prove to be completely useless. I look forward to showcasing a bit of everything that’s out there today.  

Thanks for reading!