Audi’s mirrorless rearview not street legal, headed for the race track
The futuristic concept cars automakers display at auto shows commonly omit a standard safety feature: the rearview mirror. Digital cameras and displays meant to replace rear and side view mirrors have become a standard innovation in high end concept cars, despite the fact that the United States government has not yet accepted any such safety feature for public roadways. Audi has begun using the technology in race cars, which are exempt from the federal safety requirements set forth for consumer passenger vehicles. The automaker’s most recent prototype for its R18 Le Mans racing car has been outfitted with a digital rear facing video camera, protected by carbon fiber housing and attached to the vehicle’s rear tail fin. The camera, linked to an active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) screen, allows for a view of the vehicle’s rear despite the fact that the vehicle’s design requires the driver to sit inside of a cockpit that is completely closed off from the outside except for its windshield. The centrally located engine blue print for the R18 Le Mans racing car has no space to accommodate a rear window, so the new Audi prototype would offer Le Mans drivers their first glimpse of the road behind them. Safety guidelines mandated by the United States Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration do not currently allow carmakers to manufacture vehicles with digital displays instead of the required mirrors for use on state highways and city streets.
