i just found this on a blog about a brand new feature lexus is developing...apparently there are little cameras on the backside of the sideview mirrors that show your a panoramic view of blind spots when you come out of hidden driveways or parking garages...i just thought it was really cool...i wonder if they'll offer it as an option on all their models... heres the link for the video...


Lexus Blind Spot Camera

ps - not really sure where to put this so move it if its in the wrong forum...

 

They just demo'd this feature with the LX570 intro at the NY Auto Show

 

wow, thats pretty cool. the safer the better, especially since i have a little kid and little kids in the neighborhood.

p.s. the little kids in the neighborhood are not mine, just the one that lives with me...i think!

 

I'm going to walk around with little cameras in my hands b/c if I am too lazy to turn my head, I can look at the cameras in my hands....

 

I dunno. It seems like another useless feature. Something to show off to your friends and thats about it. The way I see it, its kinda like the Sonar front/rear parking system but with camera's ( I guess the loud beeps wasnt good enough). Plus the camera is only on the right side and the front grill.

I would have been more impressed if they incorporated a system like Volvo's BLIS system which uses cameras in the side view mirrors and notifies you when someone is driving in your blind spot. Probably would come in handy with a truck this big.

 

while i dont think i would use it very often, and i'm sure the cost won't justify the feature, i do think that it is probably useful - i think it just depends on your situation. i think backing out of my garage every day might be a tiny bit safter with the cams, if they really can give me a better view than just turning my head. i do agree that some of the stuff they have is just plain eye candy, like the aut parallel parking thing. either way, im not gonna pay for it because knowing lexus, the feature will cost 2 grand!!!

 

now to have the back up camera on while driving so i dont have to look in the rear-view mirror would be great hehe

 

When I opened this thread, I was expecting to read that Lexus was developing Anti-lock breaks.

but really I wonder how useful will this feature be? Or how lazy will drivers become?

 

I hope it's a feature and not a standard option. Neat idea though.

 

I hate it when companies release new cool features a year after I buy a certain product .

The IS relatively has a horrible view all around, so this feature will be very helpful .

If this feature is an option in the '08 IS, I just might have to get my IS stolen .

 

In this sue happy country.... sooner or later I predict some woman is going to sue Lexus for running over her kid because the camera malfunctions.

 

A couple already tried to sue Nissan b/c their Infiniti FX camera did not let them see their child they ran over.

 

The front view camera is nothing new (The Japanese had them as a factory or dealer option on Cars such as the Corolla since the late 1990s.), and the one used in the LX570 is the new-gen version (First used on the 2006 Estima.). The side blindspot monitor made its first debut on the second generation Toyota Harrier.

Seen it in the Caldinas, Wishes & Estimas and I find this feature is very useful, especially at a T-junction or a tight street. Of course, there's also common sense & we shouldn't rely on it too much (Same thing with the rear view cam.).

http://www.sei.co.jp/sn/2006/342/4.html

 

My sister has an IS250awd and I was always afraid to ask because this is her first new car but, how do you guys see out of that rear windshield? Her headrests take up the entire rear view, the windshield is so steeply raked that it looks more like a coupe. I mean it makes the lines look more aggressive but I'd be afraid to back up in her car.

 

I've used the backup cam on the moms LX470 frequently it helps greatly in a vehicle that large and high