Camera-Based Automotive Systems Could Save Costs and Lives, According to ABI Research

NEW YORK--Automobile accident statistics show that the trend of reducing fatalities has leveled off in recent years despite advances in crash protection. In the United States and Europe, more than 40,000 people are killed each year in automobile accidents. A new study from ABI Research reveals that the active safety features under development to address many of the causes of accidents may become more affordable, thanks to recent advances in camera technology.

“All major suppliers are actively working on camera-based sensing technology,” says senior analyst David Alexander. “But they don’t all agree on which applications will be first to take off in the market, or even which are best suited for camera sensors.”

As lower-cost cameras meet performance targets, there is good news regarding the potential for some new safety features in mainstream models. The new ABI Research report, “Camera-Based Automotive Systems,” finds that automobile manufacturers are getting ready to take advantage of a number of different approaches to obstacle detection, and that cameras will be used in isolation and in parallel with other sensor technologies.

“As functionality improves, and image processing technology matures, the long-term future for automotive cameras is very positive,” says Alexander. “The first OEMs to make low-cost, active safety systems available to the mass market should reap huge rewards and will help improve road safety for everyone.”

Almost every active safety system under current development has a camera sensor penciled into its future. Market interest could bode well for Tier One system developers such as Visteon, Siemens, Bosch, Continental, Hella, Iteris, Valeo, and coordinated media coverage (with help from government agencies) would deliver strong demand for the technology.

“Camera-Based Automotive Systems” (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/Camera-Based_Auto motive_Systems)(Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.) provides an analysis of global market trends, costs and technological evaluations of different approaches and strategies used by safety system developers, as well as discussion of existing product announcements. System sales forecasts are provided globally, by region, through 2012. The study forms part of ABI Research’s Automotive Systems Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Automotive_Systems_Resear ch_Service)(Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.), which also includes other Research Reports, ABI Insights, and analyst inquiry support.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations supporting annual research programs, intelligence services and market reports in broadband and multimedia, RFID and M2M, wireless connectivity, mobile wireless, transportation and emerging technologies. For information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.