Vauxhall’s new Insignia will be able to 'read' speed limit signs and display them on the instrument panel using new camera technology. The front camera system will be available from next year and can also alert drivers if they veer out of lane.
Meanwhile the ‘Traffic Sign Recognition’ system repeatedly reads speed and no-overtaking signs every 100 metres, matches them to a database, and displays them on the panel. Vauxhall says the system will reduce stress and helps prevent speeding tickets.
Known as the Front Camera System, the wide-angled, high-resolution camera and processors were jointly developed by Vauxhall/Opel engineers and specialists from supplier Hella. The camera, located between the windscreen and the rear-view mirror, detects road signs and lane markings.
Traffic Sign Recognition system
It’s not much bigger than a mobile phone, yet can take 30 pictures per second, and two signal processors filter and read the photos.
‘These new features follow Vauxhall’s philosophy of enhancing driving excitement by assisting drivers without reducing their level of control,’ said Hans Demant, Managing Director of GME Engineering. 'That means the system gives drivers information, but it doesn’t intervene.’
See a video of the system here