Lexus Starts Dropping Traditional Sideview Mirrors For Cameras

Currently - the regulations in the USA require at least a Driver's side Mirror in virtually ALL states. They will need to be adjusted to allow for this to happen here. This information collected by the camera has to be displayed somewhere - inside the vehicle - so it will mean another change in where you look for that too. And should an electronic problem develop -this is going to be expensive to fix - far more than replacing a piece of mirror glass.

I don't know any hard facts, but I would guess that a good majority of accidents occur because drivers either fail to check their passenger-side blind spot or incorrectly assess the blind spot. I cannot tell you how many times I've witnessed people switching lanes without even looking at all or checking and still making an incorrect move. Especially for drivers in large SUVs or pickup trucks.

Actually, tech like skid control, anti-lock brakes, lane assist, et al have certainly done a lot to fix stupid. And having an actual screen to provide an appropriate view for someone most certainly will help. Yes, driver error is to blame, but that driver error is due to blind spots, dark window tinting, and misjudgment. Full-view camera views certainly can help to alleviate a good portion of those factors.

It's about time, too bad the US is slow to catch up with the rest of the world. You can improve performance and fuel efficiency by 5% by cutting the mirrors completely. Lexus and Audi's implementations are still half measures, the camera(s) should be flush with the car.

Long overdue.

Having a right-side camera with a display on the dash is a massive step in the right direction.

This should be made legal ASAP. Clearly the way to go in the future.

Doesn't Honda already have a passenger-side camera that displays on the info screen when the turn signal is activated? Is the "industry first" referring to a full-time camera function vs. just during a turn or lane change?

This correct. Honda has had this for a while. I hope they figure out how to integrate it better in the mirror. It looks like an ugly growth.

Totally in favor of this-- logical to integrate into the standard rear view mirror to give wider angle view including the sides + rear. Don't think it's a good idea to have a separate dash screen because you're not really trained to look there. I would think HUD would be an option too as more cars are built with these.....

The challenge I see is weather like chicago. Its foggy this morning and the camera would be not as clear as a mirror. I turned on my rear defroster and the mirror was de-fogged quickly. A camera, stays foggy or unclear. Imagine the salt and snowy weather.