Digital gadgetry for cars is progressing by leaps and bounds, which is great – except when they your car doesn't have them. Japan's Pioneer Corporation has developed one way to keep up with the high-tech motoring Joneses in the form of its rearview mirror telematics unit – a wireless information module that fits over a car's original rearview mirror.
The Pioneer rearview mirror telematics unit consists of a self-contained module equipped with an LTE communication unit linked to the company's Mobile Telematics Center.
Promising high speed and low latency, the link provides the module with information about local facilities, traffic, weather and news, as well as navigation functions.
The information is displayed on a half-mirrored, 5-inch LCD touchscreen. There's also a built-in front-view camera with wide-angle lens that acts as a driving recorder. In addition, the camera is equipped with a Safe Driving Support Service, which analyzes the movements of cars ahead, detects potential hazards, and provides audio visual warnings. The module can also be wirelessly connected to a rear-view camera.
Along with the visuals, the module has a noise-cancelling microphone, which controls the infotainment system through the Voice-Activated Drive Agent Service developed in collaboration with NTT Docomo.
According to Pioneer, the module can be used in fleet management via the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
The module also has gyro and acceleration sensors, acts as a WiFi hotspot, and can even work as a boring old rearview mirror.
Pioneer says that the rearview mirror telematics unit will be available within the next year.
Pricing is yet to be announced.
Source: Pioneer