Rear facing camera with screen in cockpit

[paranha]

Drivers have complained that they cannot see cars behind when they are trying an overtake.Why is it not possible to have a rear facing camera, which could project image onto small screen in drivers eyeline.?

[Holst]

I dont think its beyond the ability of F1 teams to build mirrors that work.

Mclaren have a more sensible layout than many of the other teams as the drivers asked for mirrors that work, even if it does cost them a small aero advantage.

[FourWheelDrift]

1 panoramic, or 2/3 cameras (left/right/middle) situated on the car looking back with the images projected onto an HUD on the drivers helmet visor. Along with official yellow/red/blue/black flag warnings, gear/revs and anything else needed. The mirrors could even be static holographic projections on the visor that appear to be real mirrors on the car's bodywork and not fixed to the visor, so the driver can move his head around the mirrors stay in the correct 3d space around the cockpit.

See how long that takes to appear.

[paulrockliffe]

I was going to suggest that it seems to be beyond some teams. I was going to use Alonso as an example. But then I remembered that Massa had no problem using his mirrors when he was weaving all over the track.

I have thought this would be a good solution for a while. Maybe they could have side-mounted lasers that detect the presence of a car to the side and light up a light to let the driver knows that if he moves over he'll be black flagged?

[Ahonen]

We've been using them in sportscars for years, but there's a bit more room in the cockpit for the 7-inch screen in a Ferrari 430...

[SamHH]

FourWheelDrift said:

1 panoramic, or 2/3 cameras (left/right/middle) situated on the car looking back with the images projected onto an HUD on the drivers helmet visor. Along with official yellow/red/blue/black flag warnings, gear/revs and anything else needed. The mirrors could even be static holographic projections on the visor that appear to be real mirrors on the car's bodywork and not fixed to the visor, so the driver can move his head around the mirrors stay in the correct 3d space around the cockpit.

See how long that takes to appear.

Ralph Schumacher had a HUD quite a few years ago, albeit not connected to video cameras.

[FourWheelDrift]

Yes, but his just displayed episodes of Loose Women during the race for him.

[Blue Meanie]

FourWheelDrift said:

Yes, but his just displayed episodes of Loose Women during the race for him.

[profstoff]

Why are drivers more likely to take notice of what's on a TV screen than what's in their mirrors?

[TheArchitect]

profstoff said:

Why are drivers more likely to take notice of what's on a TV screen than what's in their mirrors?

because they cant see the mirrors properly currently.

they're mounted too far away from the drivers sight line so they have to purposely look away from whats happening infront of them rather than having them a flick with the eye away like they should need to do.

Edited by TheArchitect on Monday 29th March 09:51

[Eric Mc]

Here's an alternative mirror mounting once tried -

[oilspill]

paranha said:

Drivers have complained that they cannot see cars behind when they are trying an overtake.Why is it not possible to have a rear facing camera, which could project image onto small screen in drivers eyeline.?

It is possible, but screens and rear view cameras are fitted to cars for reversing and not as useful as mirrors on the side for racing.

[paulrockliffe]

oilspill said:

paranha said:

Drivers have complained that they cannot see cars behind when they are trying an overtake.Why is it not possible to have a rear facing camera, which could project image onto small screen in drivers eyeline.?

It is possible, but screens and rear view cameras are fitted to cars for reversing and not as useful as mirrors on the side for racing.

But there are all kinds of reasons for that that aren't of a technical nature. Applicable law prescribes mirrors in the UK and Europe and (I presume) most of the rest of the world too, so you'd need to tackle that to do it on the road. There isn't an over-riding benefit on the road, at least not one that would justify the cost to customer that would occur, so there isn't necesserily an economic case for their use on roads either. As you say, I'm sure it's possible, if you can build an F1 car, you can sort out a few cameras and lenses you'd think.

[FourWheelDrift]

The FIA probably need to implement a rule about minimum mirror size and a virtual box in which they must be mounted. Both designed to give proper visibility behind.

[TheArchitect]

FourWheelDrift said:

The FIA probably need to implement a rule about minimum mirror size and a virtual box in which they must be mounted. Both designed to give proper visibility behind.

and within an angle from the center point of the drivers head.

[308mate]

Because you dont need them that badly, I would say.

See any mirrors here?



Ok, maybe not the best picture


Add to that, a cockpit mounted screen is a massive re-focus for the driver's eyes, first to immediately in front of him to locate and look at the screen, then back to the circuit, in which time an awful lot of ground has been covered. Cockpits are full of things you can see, but dont actually have to look at.

Edited by 308mate on Monday 29th March 14:52

[zac510]

Those motorcyclists don't have HANS, harnesses and high side impact protection bodywork..

[Munter]

I wonder if rather than change them they could augment the system with some kind of radar/sound device. 2 distinct tones for left and right and volume for distance. Should allow them to check the correct mirror quicker or not bother with the mirror at all...

[308mate]

zac510 said:

Those motorcyclists don't have HANS, harnesses and high side impact protection bodywork..

So what? They still dont look anywhere except at the piece of track theyre headed for. Overtakes are still a complete suprise most of the time, unless you catch the sound of the incoming bike.

[Munter]

308mate said:

zac510 said:

Those motorcyclists don't have HANS, harnesses and high side impact protection bodywork..

So what? They still dont look anywhere except at the piece of track theyre headed for. Overtakes are still a complete suprise most of the time, unless you catch the sound of the incoming bike.

And when they build the tracks 10 times wider than an F1 car then it might work.