Reflections on the future: Car mirrors

I’ve written about advancements in cars before when I wrote several posts about futuristic concept cars from the BMW Group. However, today I want to talk about something that will be changing on cars in the nearer future. But don’t fear, this is not yet another article about self-driving cars. Instead I’ll be reflecting on the future of car mirrors.

Car mirrors- soon to be extinct?

 

These are a small, but significant part of any car (and bikes, trucks etc.) that often gets overlooked. However, with recent advancements in technology car mirrors will be replaced all together. Instead car manufacturers will be likely be equipping their new models with cameras.  Already Japan will be allowing the use of these cameras.

And they’re right to do so. Cameras hold some advantages over mirrors. For one, they make the car more aerodynamic. And with

side camera’s, gone are the days that your mirrors get knocked off or stolen. The images from the cameras would be shown together on a display inside the car, so drivers will also have a

BMW i8 without mirrors

better overview of their surroundings in one place. Already some manufacturers are working on this. BMW has the i8 concept where they also added a camera below the rear windshield to give a full picture of what’s outside the car.

Drivers will probably need some time to get used to this new concept of car camera mirrors. Not only will we need to change our driving habits – looking at a display instead of looking at each mirror in turn. But we will also need to get used to cars being just that bit slimmer than we are used to. Even non-drivers will have to adjust to this new sight. But cars will be just this bit safer again because of it.

And if you want to make your car safer today, you might want to install a pet barrier.