The presentation of information by the “Bavarian” is beyond praise: colored signs are broadcast on the projection display along with the current speed value. Information about the prohibition and the resolution of overtaking pops up in separate characters - it is impossible to miss or confuse
The presentation of information by the “Bavarian” is beyond praise: colored signs are broadcast on the projection display along with the current speed value. Information about the prohibition and the resolution of overtaking pops up in separate characters - it is impossible to miss or confuse. The presentation of information by the “Bavarian” is beyond praise: colored signs are broadcast on the projection display along with the current speed value. Information about the prohibition and the resolution of overtaking pops up in separate characters - it is impossible to miss or confuse.
The front view camcorder has enough work. Nevertheless, the list of objects that it captures continues to grow. Images of cars and pedestrians, road markings, and now also signs. Of course, not all. To prevent the system from spraying over trifles, the developers put a minimum of characters into electronic memory: limiting the maximum speed, prohibiting overtaking and the associated time and zone plates, and cancellation signs. They are recognized by the system, transmitting the image to the dashboard. There are still few cars with such an option, even fewer ones delivered to us. The BMW 3 Series and the Opel Insignia hit the test. And although the tasks for these systems are the same, there are plenty of differences in work.
SUBJECT AND METHOD
Typical situations for checking devices in abundance are provided by public roads. The Moscow Region's routes are rich in various speed limits, narrower highways - prohibiting overtaking by “lollipops”, the highway and the speed ring in the city limits - are non-standard signs that a video eye should consider at a fairly high speed. We crossed the route twice: in daylight and in the dark. And in the afternoon the windshield periodically wetted the rain, and heavy trucks were generously poured with dirt. In general, they did not depart from road realities.
Unlike most electronic assistants, the person responsible for character recognition is relatively simple. The camera grabs and checks the plates with their card index that are similar in shape, set and arrangement of characters. Scanners do not respond to similar restrictions on the maximum mass or height of the car (also large numbers in a red border). True, it comes to funny things. When overtaking the next truck, "Opel" unexpectedly flashed "30" on the display. It turned out that the scanner considered a miniature sign of speed limits on the tank of an irrigation machine.
2 Both scanners recognize signs drawn on the rectangles of temporary shields, because the shape of the picture is important, not the substrate. In addition, the systems clearly capture the speed limits that are lit on LED displays (although the colors do not match those on regular road signs), on streamers and metal trusses
Both scanners recognize the signs drawn on the rectangles of temporary shields, because the shape of the picture is important, not the substrate. In addition, the systems clearly capture the speed limits that are lit on LED displays (although the colors do not match those on regular road signs), on streamers and metal trusses. Both scanners recognize the signs drawn on the rectangles of temporary shields, because the shape of the picture is important, not the substrate. In addition, the systems clearly capture the speed limits that are lit on LED displays (although the colors do not match those on regular road signs), on streamers and metal trusses.
BMW knows signs of prohibition of overtaking and speed limits, as well as their cancellation. The instructions also mention additional information plates “Wet Road” and “Coverage Area”. Looking ahead, we say that the first ones during the passage of the route did not fall for us, and the car simply did not react to the others. “Opel”, even though it’s simpler than a brand, carries a more significant body of knowledge. For example, he learned the signs “Motorway”, “Road for cars”, “Pedestrian zone”, and the Opel Eye camera does not ignore the signs accompanying the main signs.
ROAD CHECK
BMW disappoints in the first minutes: he rarely sees “80” signs on the right side of wide Moscow highways. Opel is a little more attentive. But it is felt that these conditions are abnormal for systems: on such a wide road, information must be duplicated on extensions, the upper ramp or the separation barrier.
Outside the city, the assistants earned more confidently: there is less distracting information, and the signs are much closer. However, in this pot of honey was not without tar. "Opel" is sensitive to the orientation of the sign. If it is slightly tilted or deployed, the camera skips it. BMW has its own quirks. In the standard navigation, the Bavarian has speed limits for all roads. If the scanner does not see road signs, the computer relies on roadmap data. But it would be better if he did not! Electronic Susanin does not always clearly track the boundaries of settlements, switching the limits of "60" and "90". And sometimes it highlights completely inexplicable restrictions of 50 or 70 km / h, and the change takes place in a forest or open field. The Opel Ay system is devoid of navigation, monitors only real roadside information, and therefore misinforms the driver less often.
Every time, casting a glance at the Opel monitor, you are pretty distracted from the road. You will not see warnings with peripheral vision: monochrome tips do not sparkle with clarity of image
Every time, casting a glance at the Opel monitor, you are pretty distracted from the road. You will not see warnings with peripheral vision: monochrome tips do not sparkle with clarity of image. Every time, casting a glance at the Opel monitor, you are pretty distracted from the road. You will not see warnings with peripheral vision: monochrome tips do not sparkle with clarity of image.
From the BMW system, which helps navigation, we expected a more intelligent approach. Namely, that it will more accurately track zones of prohibitions of overtaking or speed limits. Indeed, often these signs operate until the nearest intersection, which the navigator just perfectly recognizes. But for some reason, in this case, his help was refused. As a result, the sign is lit until it is canceled, a mark in the electronic map with a different speed limit, or the end of a specified time interval. We could not precisely determine the latter: the signs burned on the panel for different times, we could not identify any dependence. By the way, Insignia does the same. But the sign prohibiting overtaking, the car extinguishes clearly after 15 seconds. Why such a rush? Bold minus for the submission of information.
VISION DEFECTS
Short-term, but heavy rain spoiled Opel's accuracy rating. Drops on the glass, which do not have time to brush away the brushes, reduce the assistant's alertness by half. The high beam included in the nighttime also affects the visual acuity of his vision: the electronics consistently ignored the signs that fall into the headlights. BMW does not allow such whims.
But do not expect the system to warn you about the sign in advance. With the declared hundred-meter range, the cameras and Opel and BMW transmit information to the displays no earlier than the sign is equal to the front bumper. But the “Bavarian” does withstand a theatrical pause and gives out a message only when the column looms in the rearview mirror. Moreover, it does not depend on weather conditions or time of day.
The second generation of the Opel Ay camera has become more compact, but the interior mirror does not hide the well-fed “carcass”. Because of this, the already poor visibility suffers
The second generation of the Opel Ay camera has become more compact, but the interior mirror does not hide the well-fed “carcass”. Because of this, the already poor visibility suffers. The second generation of the Opel Ay camera has become more compact, but the interior mirror does not hide the well-fed “carcass”. Because of this, the already poor visibility suffers.
In addition, if the sign is at least slightly blocked by a truck standing on the sidelines (the human eye catches it in this case too), the scanners are powerless. Even if the road “lollipop” is located a bit off, the system will guarantee it will detect it only at a low speed. In general, the higher the speedometer gets, the worse the reaction of the assistants becomes. For example, with 110 km / h permitted on the highway, malfunctions occurred even under ideal conditions.
And if we evaluate the accuracy of the response based on the results of the entire test, BMW coped with about 90% of the signs encountered, Opel - with 75%.
After conferring, they issued a general verdict. The tested systems do not bring harm, and in some cases their tips are useful. After all, with all the attentiveness and experience, we are all people who, as we know, tend to make mistakes. But far to go - during the 600-kilometer test, we missed important information a couple of times. It was then that extra electronic eyes did not interfere at all. And what sometimes get lost is forgivable. After all, they are like novice drivers, only gaining experience. And, fortunately, the oversights that they make are not blunders, but blots typical of newcomers.
Kirill Mileshkin:
Kirill Mileshkin
“The colored symbols of the prohibition of overtaking and its cancellation appearing on the projection display cannot be viewed, but real signs on the side of the roads are easy. Darkness, drops, or dirt on the windshield of the camera are not a hindrance. I would have such keen eyes! As a result, BMW surpasses Opel in two key parameters - the quality of scanning and the supply of information. As for the wrong navigation hints about speed limits, she never overestimated them relative to the real limit."
Maxim Sachkov:
Maxim Sachkov
“I would prefer Opel Ay. The Bavarian electronic assistant reminds you of a too-caring grandmother who carefully protects her beloved grandson from all kinds of misfortunes, and his fellow countryman from Rüsselsheim is a young dad who provides the child with enough freedom and insures only in dangerous situations. I prefer it when a person relies on himself and does not constantly wait for help from others. Although such advice will come in handy for such people in difficult times.”
BMW
+ Projection on the windshield. Almost no response to reduced visibility. High recognition rate, sees LED, temporary and hanging signs over the road.
- Fuzzy response to signs on a wide road. Navigation hints about the allowed speed are not always true, it would be useful to control the range of the signs using the navigation system.
The system requires a restart after each engine start. Not every trip needs it, so it’s excusable. You can’t say about how the author of the menu speaks Russian
The system requires a restart after each engine start. Not every trip needs it, so it’s excusable. You can’t say about how the author of the menu speaks Russian. The system requires a restart after each engine start. Not every trip needs it, so it’s excusable. You can’t say about how the author of the menu speaks Russian.
Opel
+ Recognizes additional signs and signs “Motorway”. It provides information only on real road signs, without confusing the driver. He sees LED, temporary and hanging signs over the road.
- Signs that cancel and allow overtaking are held on the display for only 15 seconds. The system must be activated after each engine start. Efficiency decreases at night and when it rains. Does not recognize crooked characters.
