Researchers at Keio University in Japan have created a prototype of a system that uses optical camouflage technology to render the backseat of a car transparent to the driver. The idea is to give the user a direct view of objects behind the vehicle rather than the indirect view given by rear view mirrors and current camera technologies. It uses a half mirror with a recursive reflective coating to create the illusion.
According to Professor Masahiko Inami, who
invented the system, the chief advantage over
digital rear view mirrors is that it
gives a true sense of depth.
The
current system only works for the back
seat, but the eventual goal is for
the solution to provide an uninterrupted 360-view
of the car’s surroundings. Watch the video
from Diginfo.TV for a full picture of the system.