Camera Based Outside Rear View Mirrors Now Legal in Japan

BMW i8 Mirrorless Concept

The updated regulations in Japan permitted the use of camera systems instead of mirrors earlier this year with Ichikoh Industries of Japan and Bosch of Germany being one of the first component manufacturers to provide the tech to auto companies. Ichickoh calls its product is called the 'Smart Rear View Mirror' and essentially relays live video feed from the rear camera. The feature equipped car will be launched in Japan by this August. That said, it is not clear yet as to which auto major will be using the tech first.

BMW i8 Mirrorless Concept Display

The use of camera systems not only means more effective peripheral vision courtesy of the wide angle. It will also offer better image quality compensating factors like glare, darkness or bad weather. It will lead to a significant vehicle design change in the years to come. The advantage of using a tiny camera instead of a bulky mirror allows for better styling, higher wind resistance as well as reduction in weight, which will subsequently aid in achieving higher fuel economy. A display monitor inside the car will be used to show drivers the view behind them.

Japan is expected to have 2.3 million vehicles with camera based mirrors by 2023

With luxury cars getting features like 360-degree view, camera based systems instead of rear view mirrors seems like an evolutionary step. Ichikoh Industries predicts that around 29 per cent or 2.3 million cars in Japan will be equipped with camera systems replacing conventional mirrors by 2023. After Japan, it is expected that the European Union will revise its regulations on the new technology later this year, while the US is also expected to follow suit by 2018, followed by China.