Could cameras replace side mirrors?
- Written by Kaitlin Clubley
- Published in News
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Cars have always had mirrors, and when someone was learning how to drive, you were probably taught to look in your side mirrors. If Tesla and the U.S.-based Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers get their way, those mirrors could be ditched just like roll-up windows and cassette players.
According to Automotive News, the Alliance, which represents companies like General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen and Tesla have filed a petition with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration trying to remove side mirrors and replace them with cameras.
Many different laws across North America require cars to have side mirrors, but the petition argues that the cameras could be just as safe as mirrors and will be more aerodynamic.
The original concept version of the Tesla Model X crossover had cameras instead of mirrors. Tesla, however, isn’t the only automaker swaying to the technology side. Volkswagen has ditched the mirrors and used cameras instead on the XL1. Currently, both Mercedes-Benz and Nissan offer a 360-degree birds-eye view of a car to assist drivers in avoiding collisions and fender benders. With the way technology is moving nowadays, I wouldn’t be surprised if this petition passes.