Blind spot monitor
vehicle-based sensor device
The vehicle blind spot monitor or simply blind-spot monitoring is a vehicle-based sensor device that detects other vehicles located to the driver's side and rear. Warnings can be visual, audible, vibrating, or tactile.
Vehicle blind spot (VBS) monitors may do more than monitor the sides and rear of the vehicle. They may also include "Rear Cross-Traffic Alert", "which alerts drivers backing out of a parking space when traffic is approaching from the sides."
History
If side view mirrors on a car are adjusted properly, there is no blind spot on the sides. This method was first documented by George Platzer in a 1995 paper presented to the Society of Automotive Engineers, but the method is frequently overlooked in driver's education classes and takes some getting used to. Untrained drivers tend to adjust the side mirrors too far in, so they can see the sides of their own vehicle, but cannot see vehicles traveling alongside in adjacent lanes. Calculated elimination of blind spots by trained drivers is inexpensive and obviates the need for expensive technological solutions to that problem, provided drivers take the time to set up and use their mirrors properly.
Platzer received a patent for his blind spot monitor, and it has been incorporated into various products associated with Ford Motor Company. The blind zone mirror has been touted as "an elegant and relatively inexpensive solution" to this recognized problem.
Examples
Volvo
BLIS is an acronym for Blind Spot Information System, a system of protection developed by Volvo.
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