Probably a dumb question, but wondering how they create that cool overhead view of a car's surroundings. Where are the cameras located, and if someone is standing alongside, how do they appear on-screen?

 

The system basically uses four cameras.....one in front, one in back, and one on each side mirror, and the electronics combine the four separate views into one and project it on a screen. This video explains more in detail how the Toyota system works.

 

Software and cameras. Coincidentally here are 2 pics put into one from the RAV4 I evaluated not too long ago. In addition to the backup camera, there are now cameras under the front logo, and then one on the underside of each mirror. Appearances depend on how wide angle each individual camera lens is.

 

A tech video, showing how they callibrate 4 cameras feeds to represent a birds eye view

 

BMW went one step further with 360 camera. It's crazy.
You can even view the surrounding of the camera with BMW app while you're not even in the car.

 

Anything too close to the car comes out distorted. but otherwise, very cool tech