Samsung has released details of a prototype truck with a wireless camera attached to the front of the vehicle, which sends a live feed to a videowall located on the back. The screens give the impression the truck is see through to drivers stuck behind it, and will give them a better view on deciding whether it is safe to overtake or not. It is hoped this could help cut deaths across the world caused by head-on collisions from overtaking.
A front-facing camera with night vision capability projects what the semi driver is seeing in front of them. The live video images is then projected onto four flat panels displays in a 2x2 configuration on the back of the truck, showing drivers behind it when it is or is not safe for them to pass.
"This allows drivers to have a better view when deciding whether it is safe to overtake. Another advantage of the Safety Truck is that it may reduce the risk of accidents caused by sudden braking or animals crossing the road," a recent Samsung Tomorrow blog post said.
Samsung led the prototype experiment by providing large format display samples, and conducted a test with a local B2B client in Argentina, where road deaths are especially high on two-lane roads.
While these trucks ever see the light of day? Samsung seems to think so, and is currently working with government groups to perform the corresponding tests in order to obtain the necessary approval.