Land Rover wants to add some technology to the run of chore of towing. It’s proposing a camera system that basically renders whatever it is you are towing invisible and shows you that image in the digital rear view mirror.
They call it Transparent Trailer, and it’s one of two ideas they’re exploring. The other one is called the Cargo Sense App and it relies on sensors implanted into the trailer to relay information back to the driver’s smartphone.
As is demonstrated in the video presentation posted below, it’s really useful when transporting animals as you would be able to see what was going on inside the trailer and also check temperature or for possible destabilizing movement.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology, Jaguar-Land Rover explains the benefits of such systems.
He says “When you are overtaking it is instinctive to check your mirrors, but if you are towing your vision is often restricted with large blind spots. Our Transparent Trailer project is researching how we could offer a view out of the vehicle unrestricted by your trailer, no matter what its size or shape.”
The current “prototype system offers a very high quality video image with no distortion of other cars or obstructions. This means the driver would have exactly the right information to make safe and effective decisions when driving or maneuvering, making towing safer and less stressful.”
Scroll down for the video and photo gallery.
Photo Gallery
