A blind-spot monitor is an automotive device designed to warn drivers when vehicles are on either side. It helps reduce the risk of hitting pedestrians and other traffic that drivers might not see.
The first car to feature a blind-spot monitor was the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 introduced in 1978. It was driven by an infrared light behind the rearview mirror. The light reflected on the surface of the lens and sent out pulses.
A light would shine on the mirror if there were an object near the car, and a further light would blink if it were near enough to be considered in the blind spot.
Blind-spot monitors are now used on many car types, including luxury cars and mid-sized sedans. Some use radar or lidar to detect a vehicle that the driver may not see. Others use cameras to detect the car's rear, while still others use both.
Also, blind-spot monitors can be designed to be activated by another system, like an automatic parking system. Come to our lot here at Kia of West Nyack in West Nyack, NY to check out our blind-spot-monitor-enabled inventory.