Safety features are being included in an increasing number of motor vehicles, according to ABI Research of Oyster Bay, N.Y. The company says that camera-based obstacle-detection sensing systems, coupled with developing machine vision capabilities, are adding functionality in both luxury and economy automobiles by providing features to reduce the number of vehicle accidents. Radar- and lidar-based obstacle-detection systems continue to be developed at the high end of the market, and ultrasonic sensors dominate the low end, according to the company. It notes that the first automotive camera systems were intended to provide supplemental information to the driver when the vehicle is in reverse gear, and that upcoming options are expected to extend the view on all sides. ABI Research has published a 64-page report titled “Camera-Based Automotive Systems,” which discusses the technologies and provides market forecasts for the systems globally, by region, through 2012.

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