BMW is a technology pioneer once again: Night Vision now available in BMW 5 and 6 Series.

Rosslyn/Midrand - BMW Night Vision, the innovative driver assistance
system introduced in South Africa in the BMW 7 Series late last year,
is now also available for ordering in the BMW 5 Series, 6 Series
Coupé, and 6 Series Convertible. BMW thus offers this technology
for extra safety at night not just in the top-of-the-range model, but
also - as the only manufacturer - in a total of four model series,
bringing BMW Night Vision to a larger group of customers. Infra-red
technology incorporating a thermal imaging camera for extra safety in
the dark. Driver support and active partner protection in one. BMW
Night Vision provides a new dimension of optical perception when driving
at night. A thermal imaging camera detects human beings, animals and
objects in front of the car before they become visible to the human eye
in the headlights. The image generated by the system is transmitted to
the central Control Display within the car presenting objects detected
with increasing brightness as a function of the heat detected by the
camera - and therefore making human beings and animals particularly
conspicuous. The thermal imaging camera covers a range of up to 300
metres or almost 1,000 feet ahead of the car. BMW Night Vision
therefore offers the customer particular benefits when driving in rural
areas, down narrow lanes, through gateways leading into courtyards, and
into dark underground garages, significantly enhancing driving safety
at night. With High-Beam Assist, also introduced in late 2005 in the 5,
6, and 7 Series, which switches the high beam on and off automatically
after activation via the stalk on the steering column, and BMW Night
Vision, BMW is making yet a further contribution to the enhancement of
traffic safety by means of innovations in technology. Both systems
assist the driver in the dark - a situation which requires a
particularly high level of concentration. In this way BMW Night Vision
and the High-Beam Assist also offer a considerable improvement in
motoring comfort. BMW opts for Far Infra-Red technology (FIR).
Thermal imaging camera for enhanced detection of human beings and
animals. Conducting comparative studies and carefully observing
independent scientific examinations, BMW's engineers have opted in
favour of innovative far infra-red technology (FIR), most efficient in
detecting persons, animals and objects at night. FIR offers the
following benefits: - Reduction to the essential: Far infra-red
technology uses a thermal imaging camera highlighting in particular
persons, animals and objects irradiating higher temperatures. FIR
intentionally does not present a detailed image of the respective
traffic situation, which would only delay the recognition of a human
being within the overall image. In other words, insignificant details
are cancelled out and do not distract the driver. - FIR
enables the driver "to look further": Covering a range of
approximately 300 metres or almost 1,000 feet, FIR "looks"
about twice as far as other systems. Hence, the driver is informed
earlier on possible hazards - indeed, up to 5 seconds earlier at a
speed of 100 km/h. - FIR cannot be "dazzled": FIR
cannot be dazzled by the headlights of oncoming traffic, by traffic
lights, road lights and highly reflective surfaces such as traffic
signs. And vehicles with FIR technology do not dazzle each other.
Over and above the advantages offered by the FIR principle from the
start, BMW has enhanced this technology by adding further functions:
The image presented follows the road in a panning process and distant
objects can be shown larger as a function of speed (zooming).
Convenient use of BMW Night Vision like looking in the interior mirror.
BMW Night Vision presents a high-contrast black-and-white night image to
the driver on the Control Display in the middle of the instrument
panel. Benefiting from FIR technology, the driver only has to briefly
check the Display in order to recognise a hazard. In other words, using
BMW Night Vision is comparable to looking into the interior mirror in
the car. Examining the new system, BMW also considered the option to
present the image in the driver's primary field of vision, for example
in the Head-Up Display or in the instrument cluster, but this option
was rejected for ergonomic reasons. Tests have shown that the
combination of real-life and virtual images irritates the driver and is
not the best solution. BMW Night Vision in the 5, 6 and 7 Series is
priced at R20 000.* * BMW Night Vision is only available in conjunction
with the BMW Professional Navigation System (standard on BMW 6 and 7 Series).