Tomorrow Tech: Opel's Sign-Reading Eye Camera System

Starting next year, Opal and Vauxhall will introduce a new technology on their cars, the Eye Camera System,  an intellignent safety system that can actually read speed signs, no passing signs, and can tell you when you're moving out of your lane. The system will display the actual speed limit in the vehicle's gauge cluster, and if a temporary limit was placed on speed (say, in a construction zone), the system will notify you when the temporary limit has been lifted. The Eye Camera System also has a Lane Departure Warning System that will audibly and visually warn you when you start drifting into a different lane (this can be turned off). We've got a brief video after the jump!

Tracer HUD Concept Is Cool & Creepy

I'm a fan of Heads-Up Displays (HUD), and think they really should be standard on all cars. The technology has been around for years, but rarely makes it into production vehicles, nor is it really available in the aftermarket. But a recent design study popped up at the Australian Design Award Competition from Mitchel Brown, a student at the University of New South Wales. His design is aimed more for use by parents of teenage drivers, but a HUD is a HUD and I'll take it (after they make it smaller).

The Tracer HUD is a heads-up display that projects your current driving speed onto the windshield, but also incorporates some "Big Brother" technology that will rat out the driver if they exceed a pre-determined speed limit. If the speed is exceeded, the Tracer will record the instance to its memory, and then send an SMS text message to a predetermined contact (parents). The unit is powered through the 12-volt receptacle and speed is measured via GPS.
Now, the main Tracer unit is quite bulky and I'd hope they figure a better way to either make the dash unit smaller, or "componentize" it so it can be better hidden or integrated into the car. The fact that it's a "Big Brother" device kind of takes some of the cool points away, but it's still a cool concept.

We've got more pics available after the jump.

in the forums!

Rearview Mirror Records You Rollin'

Gallery:

Brickhouse security makes a bunch of odd security gadgets for personal, home, and car, and this rear view mirror is one of the cooler items available on their website. The mirror features an integrated 2.5" LCD, which displays video from the forward-facing camera mounted to the rear of the mirror. The internal DVR starts grabbing footage as soon as you start your car, and turns off when you shut the car down. Video is recorded to the included 1GB SD card, which can be removed and videos moved to your PC, laptop, or portable device. The mirror also sports an additional video input for connecting a back-up camera or navigation device. We've got a  bunch of pics and a few videos of the mirror in action after the jump (including an accident!)

in the forums!