Vauxhall Insignia
Vauxhall Insignia fitted with front camera system
Known as the "Front Camera System", the wide-angled, high-resolution camera and processors were jointly developed by Vauxhall/Opel engineers and specialists from supplier Hella. The camera, located between the windscreen and the rear-view mirror, detects road signs and lane markings. It's not much bigger than a mobile phone, yet can take 30 pictures per second. Two signal processors filter and read the photos.
Depending on light conditions, the Traffic Sign Recognition function begins to repeatedly read signs at 100 meters. It starts by focusing on circular patterns then identifies the numbers inside them via contour comparison. When a match is found in the car's software, the sign is displayed in the instrument panel; it will even prioritise a no-overtaking sign over a speed limit warning sign.
When the Lane Departure Warning function is turned on, it uses a second signal processor and software to read traffic lanes and record a driver's normal lane-changing behaviour, taking into account steering input and indicator usage. If any deviation is detected, an audible and visual warning is sent from the instrument panel, preventing hazardous situations, such as a driver falling asleep at the wheel.
The Front Camera System, featuring Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning will be available as an option on the new Insignia, with other Vauxhall models benefiting from the system in future.