Side View Cameras on the Aptera Typ-1

[Holander]

I love the fact that they will have side view cameras in place of side view mirrors on the Aptera Typ-1. Does anyone know if the center rear view mirror will also be replaced by a camera? It's really such a great idea. Not only does it make for less drag thus better gas mileage, but it will also eliminate all blind spots. I really look foward to this!

[foundit]

I'm fairly certain that the center rear view mirror will be replaced by a camera as well. I can't wait! :)

[IanO]

Although a good idea, rear-view cameras still do not eliminate blind spots. This was mentioned in one of the test drives.

[Yanquetino]

Although a good idea, rear-view cameras still do not eliminate blind spots. This was mentioned in one of the test drives.

T'is true that rear-view cameras --or mirrors-- cannot show the driver who or what is in a blind spot. However, if properly positioned, and with a wide-enough angle (fisheye lense?), the side cameras should be able to do that, and much more effectively that any side mirror.

Aptera might need to keep experimenting with those displays to eliminate blind spots completely. Either that... or PM's Ben Stewart simply forgot to look at them, basic conditioning causing him to try to glance over his shoulders instead!

It would be nice if someone from Aptera could clarify that feature.

[Matthijs]

I know this question is maybe a bit early. But what about those rear view camera's on the aptera? Will they ever become legal and really replace the side view mirrors? I know that in the FAQ on the aptera site they are still not sure if the camera's will be a standard feature on the car.

I know that in the Netherlands there are laws that say that every motorcycle must have mirrors. But this laws are from 1994 and don't consider "new" technologies like the camera's. I really hope they will be allowed in the states so that Europe can take a good look!

[qpham63]

T'is true that rear-view cameras --or mirrors-- cannot show the driver who or what is in a blind spot. However, if properly positioned, and with a wide-enough angle (fisheye lense?), the side cameras should be able to do that, and much more effectively that any side mirror.

Aptera might need to keep experimenting with those displays to eliminate blind spots completely. Either that... or PM's Ben Stewart simply forgot to look at them, basic conditioning causing him to try to glance over his shoulders instead!

It would be nice if someone from Aptera could clarify that feature.

An Engineer at Aptera Motors Inc told me when I asked the very specific question. His reply was "the three cameras will provide a complete 180 degrees view to the rear of the vehicle".

I find the back up camera on the Prius very helpful but it is mounted a little to the side and took a bit of getting used to.

I am sure the cameras will have overlap so you don't miss any details.

Current side mirrors on cars must contribute a tremendous amount of drag.

[butter]

Somebody in a different thread made a brief comment wondering what would happen if the Aptera's cameras somehow had a malfunction and went out. Then, what would the driver do? Is there no backup, non-electrical method of seeing behind and to the side?

Also, how likely would this even happen, that the cameras would somehow stop working? At least with a broken-off side mirror, I've seen people duct-tape them temporarily in place -- and even in the worst case for most "normal" cars, not having any functioning mirrors isn't the end-all because one can still crane one's neck to look to the side and back.

[qpham63]

My dad who is 92 now and have not driven for years after a series of mysterious scratches, dings and dents. Well you can't really use duct tape if your camera burned out.

Highly unlikely that you will have all three out at the same time but hey, that can happen right. If only one is out, checking more frequently allow you to track the cars behind you better before they move into a blind spot made bigger by the camera being out.

Here is what my dad use to do when he lost a bit of mobility in his neck. Instead of the usual head check, he would turn on the blinker and sllllooooowwwwllllyyy drift the the lane he wants. I use to scream out loud when we got honked at. He just smile and say, that is why I don't change lane fast. I just drift. If their horn is not working, they will just avoid hitting me by slowing down or go around.

Of course he got saluted a lot, and not the military kind of salute. Sigh !!! well you have to love your dad no matter what and he is right, by law, you must avoid an accident if you can in the state of CA. If he drift slooooowww and you hit him it would be your fault.

I don't advocate driving that way but it will allow a limp mode until you can have your system looked at.

It is entirely possible for you to be vandalized and loose both of your mirror and don't have an inch of that incredible material we call duct tape.:D

[3-4-me]

Here is what my dad use to do when he lost a bit of mobility in his neck. Instead of the usual head check, he would turn on the blinker and sllllooooowwwwllllyyy drift the the lane he wants. I use to scream out loud when we got honked at. He just smile and say, that is why I don't change lane fast. I just drift. If their horn is not working, they will just avoid hitting me by slowing down or go around.

Hahaha, that's too funny. I have a motorhome with the large bus type mirrors on it. They have set screws that you can loosen for adjustment and to fold the mirrors in.
We were returning from a trip last year, and the passenger side mirror started folding in. I used your dad's method for moving off of the I 15 fwy. It was a pretty good trick towing a jeep:eek:
I ended up driving the remaining 40 someodd miles like that(no allen wrench)
The rear camera on the MH is awesome. I can see cars approaching to pass, or back the beast up without assistance.
I think cameras will be a great asset on the Aptera.
If it is required to have mirrors, I would like to see a Wink mirror mounted inside.

[qpham63]

Did you get a lot of salutes?

Well what else can you do in these cases? I would not just pull over and get a tow truck...

[3-4-me]

No salutes that I know of. I only had to move over a couple of times, so it wasn't that big of a deal.
I can't say that I want to do it again, but it got me home.

[catmando]

Although a good idea, rear-view cameras still do not eliminate blind spots. This was mentioned in one of the test drives.I have a 2006 Dodge dually with a huge fish-eye mirror on each outside mirror and I have NO blind spots on either side, so I don't see why a wide lens camera wouldn't show everything back there. Three cams should cover all angles.