Ficosa Partners with Panasonic for Smart Rear-View Mirror

Ficosa, a renowned automotive safety solution provider, has recently co-developed an intelligent rearview mirror (IRMS) with Panasonic.

The revolutionary system comes with an integrated Panasonic LCD screen in the structure of what seems like a conventional rear-view mirror. It serves as a mirror or a monitor that relays images from the cameras located at the rear of the vehicle or even from within the vehicle.

The digital camera built into this intelligent mirror offers a high-res image. Ficosa offers automobile OEMs to integrate the camera in different locations of the car in accordance with their preferences, either inside or outside the vehicle.

Thanks to the interior mirror that improves driving experience and enhances safety and driving comfort. Ficosa claims that this solution efficiently extends the rearward field of vision up to a value of 50°—more than double compared to a conventional mirror—which significantly reduces blind spots. It also reduces the glare and enhances visibility in low light areas.

Moreover, the IRMS stands out for its ability to work split screen as a mirror and monitor simultaneously. In this operating mode, the system can also project the image of other devices incorporated in the vehicle as parking camera or even internal cameras to control children, among other devices. Moreover, it is claimed to enable the inclusion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in this vision system, providing information about surrounding vehicles to the driver.

Ficosa presently works with different automakers on the integration of intelligent interior rearview mirror, customizing it in accordance with their requirements. It is anticipated that the regulation in this field will be approved on a European level in the middle of this year. Vehicles are also eyed to circulate with this system integrated by the start of 2018.

Panasonic acquired 49 percent of Ficosa’s shares in June, and both companies have collaborated to increase their technological capacity and incorporate complementary technologies to lead the transition of the automotive market in new product categories.