13 September 2005

A little nacht vision

'Night vision' is making its European debut in the continent's two top luxury brands at the Frankfurt show.

Both Mercedes-Benz and BMW will showcase systems that provide drivers with warning of obstacles far ahead of the range of ordinary headlights.

Mercedes is using an infra-red module set in the headlamps cluster and connected to a camera inside the car. BMW is using thermal imaging sensors. Trish Whelan.