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Cadillac To Debut New High Tech, High Vision Rear-View Mirror

DETROIT (WWJ)  - General Motors is about to launch a new, high tech rear view mirror that uses a camera and a computer processing to greatly improve the view from behind.

"It basically starts with a much wider field of view," said GM Chief Technical Officer Jon Lauckner.  "About 80 degrees is the field of view, which is about four times greater than a traditional rear view mirror."

GM says the streaming video mirror improves field of vision by an estimated 300 percent, or roughly four times greater than a standard rearview mirror.

"Driving down the road, you get a tremendous field of view," said Lauckner.  "You can see objects to the side and rear, whether those are vehicles or pedestrians."

The mirror will make its debut late next year on Cadillac's new Flagship vehicle, the CT6.

"The closest comparison to this kind of rear vision would be driving a convertible with the top down," said Travis Hester, Cadillac CT6 executive chief engineer.

Hester says the new mirror eliminates all obstructions.

"In addition to the increased field of view, the technology eliminates any rear seat, rear pillar or passenger obstructions, allowing the driver an unimpeded view of the lanes behind and traditional blind-spots," Hester said.

The camera will have what GM calls a "water-shedding hydrophobic coating," to keep it clean and maintain visibility.  It will rely on a lot of technology.

"Thanks to a high dynamic range, the camera's video feed reduces glare and allows a crisper image in low-light situations, versus a traditional glass electrochromatic, or auto-dimming, rearview mirror," read a GM press release. "The in-mirror display is an industry-leading 1280 by 240-pixel TFT-LCD display with 171 pixels per inch, combined with a HD camera designed specifically to enhance rear view lane width and maximize low-light situations.

A water-shedding hydrophobic coating is applied to the camera to keep it clean to maintain visibility regardless of the driving conditions."

There will be a switch on the mirror, that allows drivers to move back and forth between a traditional view and the streaming video view.

The Cadillac CT6, which will be the first vehicle to have the new mirror, will see a lot of new technology, including self-driving "super cruise" control that allows for limited autonomous driving.

It's likely the streaming video mirror, like most other technology, will quickly start appearing on other vehicles, if it is popular with drivers.

Connect with Jeff Gilbert
Email: jdgilbert@cbs.com
Facebook: facebook.com/carchronicles
Twitter: @jefferygilbert

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