Frost & Sullivan Product Report: Visibility products

Jan. 1, 2020
Vehicle visibility encompasses a wide range of systems, including windshields and side glass; rearview, side and electrochromic mirrors; wipers, window cleaners and window treatments.
Vehicle visibility encompasses a wide range of systems, including windshields and side glass; rearview, side and electrochromic mirrors; wipers, window cleaners and window treatments; electronic driver assistance systems such as blind spot and backup assist systems; window tint; and even the shape of the vehicle, which includes A/B/C/D pillars and front/rear overhangs.

Windshield and side glass area, A/B/C/D pillars and vehicle shape are determined at design, but other visibility systems can be enhanced with aftermarket products. Front and rear windshields, side glass and sunroofs were a $1.43 billion market in 2007. Wiper blades and refills were a $445 million dollar market in 2007, but this is mostly a replacement market, as is glass and mirror replacement. However, electronics systems for side and rear blind spot detection are specialty aftermarket products and can be added post-purchase through specialty installers.

Side blind spots

The United States requires planar driver side mirrors and convex passenger side mirrors, but aspheric side mirrors with built-in curvature at the edges are allowable in Europe. The U.S. equivalent is to add stick-on blind spot mirrors, but an example of an electronic alternative is the LaneFX/ParkFX system from Drivaware, Inc. While sensor-based blind spot detection systems only now are entering the U.S. market on new vehicles, the LaneFX/ ParkFX system can enhance blind spot visibility on existing vehicles.

As automakers promote blind spot detection systems and consumer awareness rises, aftermarket alternatives will be desired for vehicles already on the road. While products like LaneFX are innovative solutions, there is an opportunity to develop sensor-based systems using camera, infrared and radar to capitalize on and compete with original equipment installations.

Rear blind spots

Every vehicle has a rear blind spot and its range depends on the height of both the driver and the object behind the vehicle. Using a standard 28-inch traffic cone, Consumer Reports found rear blind spots ranging from 13 feet to 53 feet with the implication being that many small obstacles, particularly children, easily can be hidden from view while the vehicle is in reverse.

Backup assist systems for rear blind spots are either camera, radar or ultrasound-based. Aftermarket backup assist systems are available from American Road Products, EchoMaster, Guardian Alert, HitchCam, Roadmaster, Rostra and VisorView.

Frost & Sullivan expects camera, radar and ultrasonic backup assist installations on North American-produced vehicles to grow to $182 million in 2012. While radar and ultrasonic systems require multiple sensors typically installed on rear fascias, aftermarket camera-based systems can be installed around license plates and tied into the growing number of screens installed for navigation systems.

Even with good visibility through vehicle windshields and side glass, blind spots are inherent in vehicle design. Electronic systems help augment driver vision for areas around vehicles that we wouldn't see otherwise.

Robert Cavin is a senior consultant with the Frost & Sullivan North American Automotive & Transportation Practice. He focuses on monitoring and analyzing emerging trends, technologies and market behavior in original equipment and advanced technologies segments of the automotive market in North America.

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