OneAndOneIs2

Sat, Oct 13, 2007

Mirror, mirror, on the car...

Remember when you had to turn around in your seat to parallel park? asks a Slashdot submitter as he opens an explanation of a new innovation by Nissan that makes it easier to park by having cameras mounted all around the car.

No. I don't, actually. I haven't turned around to park since before I ditched the L-plates.

What, just what, do people think those shiny things attached to their doors are there for? Aerodynamics??

Here's a hint: Wing mirrors are there so that you can see behind you.

Unbelievable, I know.

That means that when you put your car into reverse to park, you should be looking at your mirrors. Because they give you the perspective from the side of your car, they show you EXACTLY what you need to see in order to park: How near to the other car you are, how well lined-up on the kerb/painted lines you are. Everything.

Amazing, eh? And all with no gadgetry, wizardry, or possibility of a breakdown.

Computer-generated birds-eye Around View Monitor system... oh, FFS!!!

5 comments • Categories: Omni, Rant, In The News, Technology

Comments:

Comment from: Ray [Visitor]

· http://lostaddress.org

Well, you should also look around your car. They're not called "blind spots" for nothing!

Having said that, Slashdot and Nissan are a bit behind the times. The Toyota Prius has cameras and I believe they've been around for a while. I remember the days when Slashdot was relevant.....

Permalink 13/10/07 @ 17:23

Comment from: oneandoneis2 [Member] · http://geekblog.oneandoneis2.org/

Hmm... Blind spots don't really come into it: You should take note of what's around the cars before you start, and anything like a motorbike that comes into your blind spot whilst you're backing into a space is something you really can't do anything about.

Permalink 13/10/07 @ 18:51

Comment from: Genevieve [Visitor]

· http://iamgenevieve.wordpress.com

I still have to turn around in my seat to reverse park for my test.

Permalink 13/10/07 @ 23:44

Comment from: alison [Member] · http://www.creativehedghog.com

I use both- you can see different things with the different perspectives (I'm a crap parker anyway, so any help I can get is a good thing. )

Permalink 14/10/07 @ 08:33

Comment from: Ray [Visitor]

· http://lostaddress.org

Even while you are parking you need to keep moving your head. Haven't you seen the "Think Bike" public info films? :)

Permalink 14/10/07 @ 12:44