Backup cameras are now required in every new vehicle, which may surprise you.
As of 2018, all new vehicles must come equipped with a backup camera.
This demonstrates how beneficial these low-profile add-ons are.
But how do they function? When you put your vehicle in reverse, how is a backup camera intended to provide you the finest picture of what’s behind you? Thompson Sales is constantly excited about new automotive features and innovations, and we’re here to explain everything in detail.
Continue reading to learn how a backup camera works.
When Did The Backup Camera First Appear?
Although it may seem to be a recent innovation, the first backup camera was introduced in 1956 in the Buick Centurion concept vehicle.
This backup camera, unlike the present low-profile version, comprised of a rear-mounted TV camera and a TV screen in the dash where the rearview mirror would have been.
Despite its bulk, this was an incredibly early vehicle design breakthrough.
Other automobile manufacturers tried with the concept in the years after, but it wasn’t accessible in a market vehicle until the early 1990s.
When Did Automakers First Start Developing And Refining Backup Cameras?
In Japan, Toyota launched a limited number of automobiles with a backup camera positioned on the rear spoiler in 1991.
Even then, it would be some time before backup cameras were widely available.
Nissan started selling camera-equipped vehicles outside of Japan in 2002, and several manufacturers followed suit.
How Does A Backup Camera In A Car Work?
The operation of a backup camera varies depending on the model, although most are fairly conventional these days.
In the back of a vehicle, a tiny, often scarcely visible camera is put and linked to an LCD screen in the dashboard.
When the automobile is in reverse, this screen shows a glimpse of what’s behind it.
The majority of models include on-screen guidelines that display the distance between things, and some even have an audible indicator, like as a beep, to notify you when you’re approaching too near.
Some versions will also include a more rounded lens that might provide a broader field of vision.
As these cameras have grown more common, software developers have profited by offering solutions for older vehicles.
If your automobile lacks a built-in camera, attachable cameras that link to your phone through an app are available.
When you mount your smartphone to your dashboard, it functions similarly to a built-in backup camera.
