Continuing just-auto’s series of interviews with tier one component manufacturers, Matthew Beecham spoke to Olaf Bongwald, VP, Magna Electronics about rear view cameras, video cameras, mirrorless cars and the head-up display market.
A couple of years ago, your factory in Zhangjiagang, China added two production lines to make cameras and forward facing imaging modules. How is demand for your EYERIS product line shaping-up in China?
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The demand is continuously growing, as China is an emerging market. Since our camera production started in 2013, we have been able to increase our camera production significantly.
In Zhangjiagang, we produce cameras not only for the Chinese market, but also for customers located in other Asian countries and Australia.
We understand that Magna Electronics recently produced its 10 millionth rear view camera in Holly, Michigan. Outside of North America, where do you see the biggest potential for rear view camera systems?
The rear view camera demand is growing in every market; in Europe it is growing quite quickly and Asia is an emerging market. It took us a couple of years to sell the first ten million cameras. The next ten million will be produced within the next 18 months.
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By GlobalDataWe understand that Magna, as part of its EYERIS technology, offers a rear mirror camera. What does this replace and to what extent is it an important development for automatic lane change?
Our rear mirror camera is part of our EYERIS product family, offering single and multi-camera platforms up to a surround view image which merges four cameras in order to show a 360 degrees view.
Our side mirror cameras currently replace the two side mirrors and offer a larger image including the former “blind spot.” This feature significantly increases safety, allowing you to follow the car behind you until you see it next to you. It is an important step towards automatic lane change. The system can continuously monitor the areas around the car in a very dynamic way and at a higher speed. It can initiate an automatic lane change following driver input, keeping a safe distance to the cars in front and behind, while also watching traffic signs and lane markings.
The next step would be a panorama view merging the two side mirrors and the already existing rear mirror mounted on the rear of the car.
Do your windscreen cameras need to be recalibrated when the windscreen is replaced?
No, as our cameras have an integrated online calibration with adjustable accuracy. It’s a fast and easy process suitable for service calibration at the dealership/service centre without any special calibration setup (targets, fixtures, etc.).
In your opinion, could we expect to see more self-calibration cameras introduced by OEMs or will they stick with static board and/or plug and play calibration when a windscreen needs replacing?
We expect more self-calibration cameras introduced by OEMs. Calibration will be automatic by almost all OEMs using a Magna camera. The systems can also detect a bad installation through the auto-calibration process.
As the algorithms for doing image processing is continuously evolving and more and more computer power enters the vehicle, could you foresee that by the end of this decade, every new car will have a video camera?
By the end of 2018, all new vehicles in NA will have rear cameras mandatory by legislation.
In Europe and Asia, cameras already support the achieving of a higher NCAP rating. Cameras will definitely be one option for improving situational awareness, along with radar and ultrasonic sensors.
Depending on the vehicle class and market, we’ll definitely have a higher amount of cameras in new cars than we have today.
Given that exterior rear view mirrors add weight, cost and wind resistance (at high speeds) to the car, I guess it is not surprising that some automakers wish to eliminate them. While it is reasonable to assume that by the end of the 2020s mirrorless cars would be commonplace, motorists need time to get used to the idea. Camera technology needs to improve by then, too. What is your view?
If a system offers enough benefits and improves than the status quo – or the rear view – motorists will probably adapt to it.
In case of the mirror, all given examples are facts – less weight, less cost and less wind resistance. Additionally, using a camera instead of a mirror increases safety by providing a bigger field of view, blind spot coverage and better performance at night.
In what ways does the acquisition of Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions strengthen Magna’s electronics engineering capabilities?
This acquisition extends our product portfolio and global footprint, and will help Magna be the lead manufacturer of driver assistance systems. The transaction includes the transfer of 60 employees and their specific product know-how, and is expected to strengthen our engineering capabilities in terms of camera and ultrasonic sensor knowledge.
How do you see the US market for HUDs shaping up in terms of OEM adoption? And do you see the HUD becoming more important as a route to prevent distracting the driver too much?
The remainder of this interview is available on just-auto’s QUBE Global light vehicle safety systems market- forecasts to 2030
