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EYESIGHT CHECK
It would seem that the task for night vision systems is the same, which means that the scheme of its execution for both manufacturers should be similar. But no. Differences begin at the level of the principle of operation.
The Mercedes-Benz headlights have separate sections with infrared lamps. Their rays are invisible to the human eye and, therefore, do not blind oncoming drivers. A black and white video camera is hidden behind the cabin mirror, and it transmits an image of the road illuminated by infrared radiation to the screen. But if another car with the light on goes towards, then a backlight may form on the display.
BMW has applied far infrared detection technology. The promised limit is 300 m, that is, twice as much as that of a competitor. Here, instead of active infrared illumination, a thermal imager installed in the bumper was used to record the thermal radiation of objects (people, animals, heated parts of cars). Such a system is not afraid of flare, it sees the “target” through natural loose obstacles (for example, bushes) and can scale the image on the display depending on the speed of movement.
BMW night vision shows a person more clearly than the Mercedes system, even in low beam headlights
BMW night vision shows a person more clearly than the Mercedes system, even in low beam headlights. BMW night vision shows a person more clearly than the Mercedes system, even in low beam headlights.
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz
EVALUATED IN MOVEMENT
At dusk, you don’t have to look at the S-class windshield at all: the image from the Night View Assist system is clear and detailed. The onset of darkness makes you look back at the road: the picture on the panel turns gray and becomes not so informative. If you compare the image on the screens of BMW and Mercedes … It’s the same as the simple graphics of the Sega game console and the detailed design of Play Station 3.
In the S-class, the picture from the camera is transmitted to the dashboard, right in the center, taking the place of a huge electronic speedometer. Therefore, when activating night vision, you have to control the speed on a small horizontal scale at the bottom of the screen - it’s inconvenient, you won’t be caught in a cursory glance. At the same time, the picture from the camera is combined with some signal icons (gearbox operating mode, direction indicators), which makes them practically invisible in the light picture and makes it impossible to use a trip computer. Summary: at first glance, it’s convenient, but in practice it turns out that the implementation is not the most successful.
BMW displays the image even further from the eyes - to the monitor located at the top of the center console. However, each pedestrian appearing in a pale picture is distinguished by a bright white spot, the driver has more chances to see it out of the corner of his eye. Here you have a far related screen, and mediocre graphics.
They tried to launch night vision systems during the day. This may be necessary if it rains heavily, or it starts snowing, or the fog falls. BMW did not object, and Mercedes-Benz offered to wait for the dark
They tried to launch night vision systems during the day. This may be necessary if it rains heavily, or it starts snowing, or the fog falls. BMW did not object, and Mercedes-Benz offered to wait for the dark. They tried to launch night vision systems during the day. This may be necessary if it rains heavily, or it starts snowing, or the fog falls. BMW did not object, and Mercedes-Benz offered to wait for the dark.
In addition, in the “six” you can turn on a warning projected onto the windshield about people appearing in the field of view - this function does not exist in the S-class. The instruction promises that an alarming triangle will flash on the glass next to the speed and navigation indications, urging you to look at the main display. In practice, this did not happen, no matter how many times they tried. Well, write off the defect of a particular machine. But even without this hint, it’s more convenient to use the system in BMWs, so it gets a slightly higher rating than the Mercedes one.
PLAYING Hide and Seek
Check the horizons of the cameras. About fifty meters from the Mercedes-Benz car, a 20-meter wide sector is snatched from the darkness, BMW adds a meter on each side. The difference is insignificant, we’ll agree on a draw.
We turn to experiments on people - it is their thermal images that must catch the night vision system from the dark in the first place. A colleague goes to the dipped border and stands on the sidelines. In the light of the S-Class xenon headlights, a pedestrian is noticeable, but it’s difficult to clearly and quickly identify that he is a person at a distance of 80 m. A night vision system clearly indicates a warm-blooded road user. We increase the distance to 150 m, turn on the far. Now the electronic eye catches the pedestrian much weaker, but even worse is seen by the one who is driving. However, the advantage of the night vision system over human vision in this case is too insignificant to trust solely on the screen, without checking the reality behind the windshield. Moreover, the range of the "night view assist" does not go beyond the high beam headlights.
The BMW night vision key is logically arranged with the switches of other electronic assistants, but it turned out to be difficult to activate the function without being distracted from the road
The BMW night vision key is logically arranged with the switches of other electronic assistants, but it turned out to be difficult to activate the function without being distracted from the road. The BMW night vision key is logically arranged with the switches of other electronic assistants, but it turned out to be difficult to activate the function without being distracted from the road.
Now it's BMW's turn. A person hides in the dark at a distance of 70 m, but his white silhouette is perfectly visible on the monitor. Double the range. At 140 m, the figure representing a person on the road looked on the screen just as clearly and brightly, only its size became smaller. We increase the distance more and more … Finally, the little man disappeared from the screen far beyond the high beam, at a distance of 320 m. Impressive! If in the dipped beam the systems had parity, then when checking at a greater distance, the BMW does not leave a chance to the Mercedes.
And how do these systems react to inanimate objects, such as parked cars? After the engine is turned off, many of its parts emit heat for a long time, so theoretically in this situation, an electronic assistant can help. In practice, the Bavarian system scented danger beyond 230 m. Mercedes-Benz only snatched the reflectors in front of the car sparkling in the headlights. And if, for example, there are no retroreflectors or are they smeared with dirt? Here, the Mercedes system surrendered immediately, not seeing anything ahead. Another confirmation that outside the light of their own headlights the S-class is powerless with the night vision system.
The most interesting test was left in the end. The Bavarians claim that their system notices people and animals hidden by a bush on the side of the road. A warm colleague goes to a roadside ravine, and we turn on the device and drive up to the ambush site. Wow, do not be fooled! The upper part of the body is clearly visible on the screen, while neither in the dipped, nor in the far light of a person is absolutely invisible: dense roadside vegetation serves as a reliable camouflage. Let's try the Mercedes-Benz - as expected, to no avail.
Of the four pairs of eyes, four high-beam headlights and two night-vision systems, only “light vision” from BMW was able to notice a person in the bushes on the sidelines
Of the four pairs of eyes, four high-beam headlights and two night-vision systems, only “light vision” from BMW was able to notice a person in the bushes on the sidelines. Of the four pairs of eyes, four high-beam headlights and two night-vision systems, only “light vision” from BMW was able to notice a person in the bushes on the sidelines.
