Photo : Xingye Jiang on Unsplash
Have you ever been driving around and had an experience where you wished you had a dash cam? Maybe you already have a dash cam and wished you had a more thorough security surveillance system?
In many situations, having a full view of your surroundings is beneficial. For example, TeslaCams have captured thousands of accidents on video and have helped many drivers prove they weren’t at fault.
These 360-degree cameras are far superior to basic dash cams because they capture activity that occurs around the vehicle, even capturing accidents involving other drivers on the road.
Cars that come equipped with a 360-degree surveillance system have a major advantage over other vehicles, including cars with dash cams.
What cars have 360-degree camera systems?
Currently, there are only two major car manufacturers equipping their vehicles with 360-degree cameras: BMW and Tesla. However, each camera system is slightly different.
Tesla vs. BMW vehicle video monitoring systems
Tesla’s video surveillance system provides a full 360-degree view of the car’s surroundings where the point of view is looking out from the car. BMW’s Surround View system, on the other hand, uses special technology to turn the visuals around so the driver can see their car as if they were standing at a distance looking at the car.
There are standard views available from BMW’s cameras, including the backup camera. However, the full view makes it easier for drivers to check their surroundings before pulling out of a parking space where there are blind spots. This helps drivers avoid accidents involving small children, pedestrians, bicyclists, and pets.
For an additional fee, BMW owners can get the BMW Drive Recorder system to record video from the surround view cameras while driving.
A 360-degree view of your car can save your life
In addition to helping drivers prove fault in an accident, these camera systems can also save your life by catching details you can’t see from your perspective inside of the car.
One man credits his TeslaCam for saving his life from a potential carjacking and/or armed robbery. He was just about to get out of his vehicle when a man approached him asking if his car was a Maserati.
Through one of the cameras, he noticed the man was holding a knife in his left hand, trying to hide it from view. Instead of getting out of the car, he waited for the man to leave and then called the authorities.
While Tesla’s camera provides the same level of full awareness around the vehicle as BMW, Tesla has taken vehicle video surveillance to a new level.
Why Tesla is taking the lead
It’s nice to be able to maneuver into and out of a tight parking space, but Tesla has taken this video technology several steps further. In addition to a clear backup camera and 360-degree vision, Tesla’s video monitoring system comes with something called Sentry Mode.
When activated, Sentry Mode puts the car’s surveillance system on standby, even when the car is turned off. For example, you can activate Sentry Mode when you park outside of a club or restaurant, and the surveillance system will be activated whenever a threat is detected.
The way Tesla’s system deals with threats is pretty powerful. If someone leans on the car, for example, the display will let the person know they are being recorded. If someone breaks a window, a loud alarm will sound and the car will play music at the highest volume.
Even cooler, if you have an iPhone or any iOS device, you can stream a live feed of your car’s cameras for an additional service fee.
360-degree cameras should be the future of vehicles
Whether a vehicle is equipped with self-driving capabilities like Tesla or not, having a full view of the surrounding are should become a standard in the future. Currently, these camera systems are expensive and are only available to people who can afford a new BMW or Tesla.
However, over time, these systems will become more mainstream and are likely to become a standard feature.
Keyword: Why More Cars Should Be Equipped With 360-Degree View Cameras