June 18, 2008Print this page
· Leading Technology: Two-in-one system available early 2009
· Opel Eye informs drivers about speed limits; warns when they veer out of their lane
· First in Opel Insignia and soon in other models
Opel introduces a first: A camera that aids drivers in two different ways. The Traffic Sign Recognition function reads speed limit and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. The Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they uninten-tionally veer out of their lane. Together, these two systems improve driving safety, reduce stress and can even prevent costly speeding tickets.
“These new features follow Opel’s philosophy of enhancing driving excitement by assisting drivers without reducing their level of control.” explains Hans Demant, managing director of Opel. “That means the system gives drivers information, but it doesn’t intervene.”
Known as the Opel Eye, the wide-angle, high-resolution camera and processors were jointly developed by GM/Opel engineers in Rüsselsheim and specialists from supplier Hella. The camera, located between the windshield and the rear-view mirror, detects road signs and lane markings. It is not much bigger than a mobile phone yet can take 30 pic-tures per second. Two signal processors, with the help of proprietary GM software, filter and read the photos.
Attention: This is the new speed limit!
The Traffic Sign Detection can read speed limit and no-passing signs and even notify driv-ers when speed restrictions have been lifted. Depending on light conditions, the system begins to recognize and repeatedly read signs at 100 meters. It starts by focusing on circu-lar patterns then identifies the numbers inside them via contour comparison. If a picture matches an image of a road sign in the car’s software, the sign is displayed in the instru-ments panel..
The system always displays the most relevant information for safe driving, filtering out many signs that may overwhelm drivers. If two signs are recognized in close proximity to one another, then special notice signs, like “no passing” restriction would take precedence over a speed limit sign.
The notices are displayed for a few seconds as a symbol in the center of the instrument panel between the main round dials. In addition, drivers can recall the image any time by pressing a button on the steering wheel. Traffic Sign Detection can be activated via a sub-page in the car’s onboard computer menu.
The Opel Eye gives more accurate information than portable navigation systems with stored speed limits because the camera works in real time. If a speed limit changes, due to road construction for instance, the Opel Eye detects it.
The processors are able to recognize traffic signs because most are designed uniformly in line with the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Established in 1968, this agreement standardizes road signs throughout more than 80 countries (for more informa-tion see Spotlight chapter).
“As we were working with the Opel Eye, we enhanced the systems’ capabilities to impres-sive levels. On German highways, for example, lanes sometimes have different speed lim-its. The Opel Eye is able to correctly register the relevant one every time,” says Dr. Christoph Schmidt, Engineering Group Manager of GME Electronics.
More Information about the Opel Insignia
More Information about V2V
gmeurope
· Opel Eye informs drivers about speed limits; warns when they veer out of their lane
· First in Opel Insignia and soon in other models
Opel introduces a first: A camera that aids drivers in two different ways. The Traffic Sign Recognition function reads speed limit and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. The Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they uninten-tionally veer out of their lane. Together, these two systems improve driving safety, reduce stress and can even prevent costly speeding tickets.
“These new features follow Opel’s philosophy of enhancing driving excitement by assisting drivers without reducing their level of control.” explains Hans Demant, managing director of Opel. “That means the system gives drivers information, but it doesn’t intervene.”
Known as the Opel Eye, the wide-angle, high-resolution camera and processors were jointly developed by GM/Opel engineers in Rüsselsheim and specialists from supplier Hella. The camera, located between the windshield and the rear-view mirror, detects road signs and lane markings. It is not much bigger than a mobile phone yet can take 30 pic-tures per second. Two signal processors, with the help of proprietary GM software, filter and read the photos.
Attention: This is the new speed limit!
The Traffic Sign Detection can read speed limit and no-passing signs and even notify driv-ers when speed restrictions have been lifted. Depending on light conditions, the system begins to recognize and repeatedly read signs at 100 meters. It starts by focusing on circu-lar patterns then identifies the numbers inside them via contour comparison. If a picture matches an image of a road sign in the car’s software, the sign is displayed in the instru-ments panel..
The system always displays the most relevant information for safe driving, filtering out many signs that may overwhelm drivers. If two signs are recognized in close proximity to one another, then special notice signs, like “no passing” restriction would take precedence over a speed limit sign.
The notices are displayed for a few seconds as a symbol in the center of the instrument panel between the main round dials. In addition, drivers can recall the image any time by pressing a button on the steering wheel. Traffic Sign Detection can be activated via a sub-page in the car’s onboard computer menu.
The Opel Eye gives more accurate information than portable navigation systems with stored speed limits because the camera works in real time. If a speed limit changes, due to road construction for instance, the Opel Eye detects it.
The processors are able to recognize traffic signs because most are designed uniformly in line with the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Established in 1968, this agreement standardizes road signs throughout more than 80 countries (for more informa-tion see Spotlight chapter).
“As we were working with the Opel Eye, we enhanced the systems’ capabilities to impres-sive levels. On German highways, for example, lanes sometimes have different speed lim-its. The Opel Eye is able to correctly register the relevant one every time,” says Dr. Christoph Schmidt, Engineering Group Manager of GME Electronics.
More Information about the Opel Insignia
More Information about V2V
gmeurope
