Interesting Info On Blindspots - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

mikriman · 08-18-2009, 06:29 PM

In an effort to reduce lane-change accidents, some automakers are trying radar to eliminate blind spots that could conceal an adjacent vehicle.

For example: Ford’s Blind Spot Information System, or BLIS, which uses radar located in each rear-quarter panel to scan for objects between the rear bumper and the outside mirror. If an object is detected, a small warning light in the side-view mirror illuminates. Recently, I tried BLIS on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, on which it is a $1,595 option, and it worked well, picking up a vehicle in the blind spot. But there is the cheaper way to eliminate blind spots.

Long ago I found the idea in a 1995 paper done for S.A.E. International by George Platzer, an engineer from Rochester Hills, Mich. In that paper, “The Geometry of Automotive Rearview Mirrors — Why Blind Zones Exist and Strategies to Overcome Them,” he described the problem and a far cheaper method to eliminate the blind spot.

Here’s the short and less technical version of what it says: The driver leans his head against the driver’s window and sets the mirror so that the side of the vehicle is just visible. Then, the driver leans to the middle of the vehicle (between the front seats) and does the same thing with the passenger-side mirror.

It is necessary to check that the mirrors are properly set, of course. Here’s how that is done: Watch a vehicle approach in the rear-view mirror. It should appear in the side-view mirror before it leaves the rear-view mirror. And then it should appear in the driver’s peripheral vision before it leaves the side-view mirror. When I Platzer-ized the Fusion Hybrid, I could see the nose of a vehicle appear just as the BLIS warning light illuminated.

So, what is the point of a system like BLIS? In an interview, Steve Kozak, Ford’s chief safety engineer, acknowledged that side mirrors can be set to eliminate the blind zone. But most drivers don’t adjust their mirrors that way so BLIS is a valuable safety aid, he said.

“If we could train everyone in the United States to do it that way, then I think we would probably be a lot better and we wouldn’t need a system like this,” he said.

One other component of BLIS is what Ford calls Cross Traffic Alert. It scans about 65 feet on either side of the vehicle’s rear. The idea is to make it easier to back out of a parking spot.

Mr. Platzer has yet another alternative. He patented a mirror system called BlindZoneMirror that uses a smaller mirror that is integrated into part of the side-view mirror. Each mirror is engineered for a specific vehicle, he said.

Mr. Platzer licensed BlindZoneMirror to Magna International, and it was introduced on the Ford Edge, on which it is standard on all models, and Chevrolet Traverse, on which it is standard on all but the base model. The BlindZoneMirror was a winner in the 2009 Automotive News’ PACE Awards, which honor “superior innovation and technological advancement.” The PACE judges described the mirror as “an elegant and inexpensive solution” to a recognized safety problem.

Iwantone2 · 08-18-2009, 06:34 PM

Interesting info, thanks!!!

SamsinSS · 08-18-2009, 06:34 PM

My Mazda CX9 has a BLIS system like that and is an awesome feature to have. It is our daily driver and I would love to have it on the Camaro!

ljustin293 · 08-18-2009, 06:35 PM

PQ · 08-18-2009, 06:41 PM

I don't think blind people should have a license and be driving.

haleyd · 08-18-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikriman

In an effort to reduce lane-change accidents, some automakers are trying radar to eliminate blind spots that could conceal an adjacent vehicle.

For example: Ford’s Blind Spot Information System, or BLIS, which uses radar located in each rear-quarter panel to scan for objects between the rear bumper and the outside mirror. If an object is detected, a small warning light in the side-view mirror illuminates. Recently, I tried BLIS on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, on which it is a $1,595 option, and it worked well, picking up a vehicle in the blind spot. But there is the cheaper way to eliminate blind spots.

Long ago I found the idea in a 1995 paper done for S.A.E. International by George Platzer, an engineer from Rochester Hills, Mich. In that paper, “The Geometry of Automotive Rearview Mirrors — Why Blind Zones Exist and Strategies to Overcome Them,” he described the problem and a far cheaper method to eliminate the blind spot.

Here’s the short and less technical version of what it says: The driver leans his head against the driver’s window and sets the mirror so that the side of the vehicle is just visible. Then, the driver leans to the middle of the vehicle (between the front seats) and does the same thing with the passenger-side mirror.

It is necessary to check that the mirrors are properly set, of course. Here’s how that is done: Watch a vehicle approach in the rear-view mirror. It should appear in the side-view mirror before it leaves the rear-view mirror. And then it should appear in the driver’s peripheral vision before it leaves the side-view mirror. When I Platzer-ized the Fusion Hybrid, I could see the nose of a vehicle appear just as the BLIS warning light illuminated.

So, what is the point of a system like BLIS? In an interview, Steve Kozak, Ford’s chief safety engineer, acknowledged that side mirrors can be set to eliminate the blind zone. But most drivers don’t adjust their mirrors that way so BLIS is a valuable safety aid, he said.

“If we could train everyone in the United States to do it that way, then I think we would probably be a lot better and we wouldn’t need a system like this,” he said.

One other component of BLIS is what Ford calls Cross Traffic Alert. It scans about 65 feet on either side of the vehicle’s rear. The idea is to make it easier to back out of a parking spot.

Mr. Platzer has yet another alternative. He patented a mirror system called BlindZoneMirror that uses a smaller mirror that is integrated into part of the side-view mirror. Each mirror is engineered for a specific vehicle, he said.

Mr. Platzer licensed BlindZoneMirror to Magna International, and it was introduced on the Ford Edge, on which it is standard on all models, and Chevrolet Traverse, on which it is standard on all but the base model. The BlindZoneMirror was a winner in the 2009 Automotive News’ PACE Awards, which honor “superior innovation and technological advancement.” The PACE judges described the mirror as “an elegant and inexpensive solution” to a recognized safety problem.

wow, thanks for the info! i have been worried about the whole blind spot thing for when i get my car... i will be sure to do that with my mirrors!!!!

Xmicro_SS · 08-18-2009, 07:29 PM

I have been doing that on every car I owned since the eighties......exactly as he states. Adjust the sideview mirror to see the front of the car just before I can no longer see him in my rearview. Works excellent!

Hoddi · 08-18-2009, 07:34 PM

There is no such thing as a blind spot!

http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/tech/mirrors/
Someone posted this previously -- thank you!

I did it this way and it really works!!!

Takes some getting used to the drivers side mirror.
Only took me a couple days to get used to though.

Hoddi · 08-18-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irpq11

I don't think blind people should have a license and be driving.

Operator · 08-18-2009, 08:57 PM

stolen from:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...o_interstitial

bluecamaroguy · 08-18-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoddi

There is no such thing as a blind spot!

http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/tech/mirrors/
Someone posted this previously -- thank you!

I did it this way and it really works!!!

Takes some getting used to the drivers side mirror.
Only took me a couple days to get used to though.

Been using this since I got the car a month ago. It works great! Just annoying that I got used to using my side mirrors and rearview mirrors and now I can't anymore. Also I can't see the lines on the road behind me.

SleepWarz · 08-18-2009, 11:47 PM

you could always turn your head about 40 degrees and glance in your blindspot too...

FiLTHy PHiL SS/RS · 08-18-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irpq11

I don't think blind people should have a license and be driving.

What if they have a seeing eye driving dog called Blind spot?

FiLTHy PHiL SS/RS · 08-18-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Operator

stolen from:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...o_interstitial

Busted... ?

08-18-2009, 06:29 PM	#1
mikriman Drives: 2010 Chevy Camaro Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 46 View My Garage	Interesting Info On Blindspots In an effort to reduce lane-change accidents, some automakers are trying radar to eliminate blind spots that could conceal an adjacent vehicle. For example: Ford’s Blind Spot Information System, or BLIS, which uses radar located in each rear-quarter panel to scan for objects between the rear bumper and the outside mirror. If an object is detected, a small warning light in the side-view mirror illuminates. Recently, I tried BLIS on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, on which it is a $1,595 option, and it worked well, picking up a vehicle in the blind spot. But there is the cheaper way to eliminate blind spots. Long ago I found the idea in a 1995 paper done for S.A.E. International by George Platzer, an engineer from Rochester Hills, Mich. In that paper, “The Geometry of Automotive Rearview Mirrors — Why Blind Zones Exist and Strategies to Overcome Them,” he described the problem and a far cheaper method to eliminate the blind spot. Here’s the short and less technical version of what it says: The driver leans his head against the driver’s window and sets the mirror so that the side of the vehicle is just visible. Then, the driver leans to the middle of the vehicle (between the front seats) and does the same thing with the passenger-side mirror. It is necessary to check that the mirrors are properly set, of course. Here’s how that is done: Watch a vehicle approach in the rear-view mirror. It should appear in the side-view mirror before it leaves the rear-view mirror. And then it should appear in the driver’s peripheral vision before it leaves the side-view mirror. When I Platzer-ized the Fusion Hybrid, I could see the nose of a vehicle appear just as the BLIS warning light illuminated. So, what is the point of a system like BLIS? In an interview, Steve Kozak, Ford’s chief safety engineer, acknowledged that side mirrors can be set to eliminate the blind zone. But most drivers don’t adjust their mirrors that way so BLIS is a valuable safety aid, he said. “If we could train everyone in the United States to do it that way, then I think we would probably be a lot better and we wouldn’t need a system like this,” he said. One other component of BLIS is what Ford calls Cross Traffic Alert. It scans about 65 feet on either side of the vehicle’s rear. The idea is to make it easier to back out of a parking spot. Mr. Platzer has yet another alternative. He patented a mirror system called BlindZoneMirror that uses a smaller mirror that is integrated into part of the side-view mirror. Each mirror is engineered for a specific vehicle, he said. Mr. Platzer licensed BlindZoneMirror to Magna International, and it was introduced on the Ford Edge, on which it is standard on all models, and Chevrolet Traverse, on which it is standard on all but the base model. The BlindZoneMirror was a winner in the 2009 Automotive News’ PACE Awards, which honor “superior innovation and technological advancement.” The PACE judges described the mirror as “an elegant and inexpensive solution” to a recognized safety problem.

08-18-2009, 06:34 PM	#2
Iwantone2 Voice Of The Voiceless Drives: CGM 1SS RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OC Cali Posts: 9,610 View My Garage	Interesting info, thanks!!! __________________

08-18-2009, 06:41 PM	#5
PQ Booooosted. Drives: 2010 Supercharged SS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 36,717 View My Garage	I don't think blind people should have a license and be driving. __________________

08-18-2009, 07:29 PM	#7
Xmicro_SS Thank You GM Drives: Sky Redline & Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,876	I have been doing that on every car I owned since the eighties......exactly as he states. Adjust the sideview mirror to see the front of the car just before I can no longer see him in my rearview. Works excellent! __________________ ITS HERE! : 2010 Camaro 2SS / 6 Speed Manual (No other way) / Silver Ice Metallic / Inferno Orange Interior Accent / RS Package / Polished Wheels / SOLO MACH X CAT BACK

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08-18-2009, 06:34 PM	#3
SamsinSS Drives: 2010 IBM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 245	My Mazda CX9 has a BLIS system like that and is an awesome feature to have. It is our daily driver and I would love to have it on the Camaro!

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Hoddi Camaro Girl ~ Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal ~ Posts: 1,868 View My Garage	There is no such thing as a blind spot! http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/tech/mirrors/ Someone posted this previously -- thank you! I did it this way and it really works!!! Takes some getting used to the drivers side mirror. Only took me a couple days to get used to though.

08-18-2009, 08:57 PM	#10
Operator Drives: Porsche 944S, Camaro LS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NYC area Posts: 29	stolen from: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...o_interstitial

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SleepWarz Banned Drives: 1991 New Yorker, 69 Tbird, ABM2SSRS Join Date: May 2009 Location: BC Canada Posts: 2,248 View My Garage	you could always turn your head about 40 degrees and glance in your blindspot too...