Model S/X Refresh Side View Mirrors - Replace with cameras?

[JeffR]

There are a few posts and videos suggesting the Cybertruck will use side view cameras instead of mirrors. A few other sources, such as shown below, raise the question of whether the refreshed Models S/X might do away with side view mirrors in favor of camera images displayed on the center screen.
While the following video talks mostly about the yoke steering feature, it raises questions about the potential for replacing side view mirrors with cameras. It sounds like it might be a good idea from an aerodynamic (coefficient of drag) perspective and reducing lateral eye movement from screen to mirror. Has anyone heard any more about this? Here's the video. Jump to around 3:45 into it if not interested in the yoke steering portion.

 

[beatle]

Using cameras as side mirrors still isn't legal in the US, so I'd say "someday" but not for a while, at least here. The Audi eTron has camera side mirrors elsewhere in the world, and I think Lexus is also doing it soon or has already done it.

 

[Akikiki]

Not replace - but supplement. If Tesla adds side view cameras even with outside mirrors, that would give us both. Yes,. there's a cost, but it moves us to side view cameras. And if done with thought in mind, once - some time down the road it permitted, the outside mirrors could be removed, so only the outside side view cameras are there.

 

[beatle]

Not replace - but supplement. If Tesla adds side view cameras even with outside mirrors, that would give us both. Yes,. there's a cost, but it moves us to side view cameras. And if done with thought in mind, once - some time down the road it permitted, the outside mirrors could be removed, so only the outside side view cameras are there.

I couldn't see Tesla doing this. Even Honda did away with their mirror mounted blind spot cameras and switched to radar sensors for blind spot monitoring. Tesla is even more invested in sensors and automation that they'll probably just bide their time until they can drop the mirrors altogether.

 

[Wheely]

Supplement with cameras is a good idea, replacing them isn't. It hasn't been very popular for the e-tron.

 

[WhiteWi]

It's sad that our regulations are so slow to adopt to new reality.

 

[Akikiki]

Yes, it is. I did some reading on this a couple of years ago. Part of the delay came down to the research that a professor in a VA university was working on. Sorry, can't remember the school or person. But feds had contracted/grants or something for a study on cameras vice mirrors. Its been a while now since I first read the summary of his work.

Some of the research pointed to "difficulties the public would have transitioning to looking a screen(s) mounted in a different location than outside mirrors. He stressed something to this effect, "after half a century of looking outside right and left for mirrors, drivers are going to be confused with new locations for camera screens, and lead to accidents. And should the screens be required to be mounted inside the each door or in the center console. Another concern is moving forward newer cars would have cameras, and older cars would still have mirrors. People will have difficult trying to crossover between new/old - old/new adding the the risk of accidents.

My two cents: He didn't really give much credit to humans being able to adjust to new/old tech.

 

[beatle]

That's ridiculous. How do people learn to drive semis? Or vehicles with mirrors mounted on the fenders? How about motorcycles? Bikes come with mirrors mounted to the fairing up front, mounted to the bars on stalks, or at the end of the bars, either above or below the grips. People are indeed adaptable.

And half a century of driving? Is he specifically talking about people over the age of 66?

 

[drdumont]

It's sad that our regulations are so slow to adopt to new reality.

Well, one point is that mirrors seldom fail (from an electronic standpoint). I'd like to see wider angle cameras assisting the mirrors, though.

 

[JeffR]

NHTSA just issued a Notice and Request for Comment re: Drivers use of camera-based rear visibility systems vs. traditional mirrors. Those interested in influencing a change in regulations have a chance to weigh in on the issue. Here's a link with more information.