The high-resolution cameras of the MirrorCam project the surroundings of Setra scheduled-service buses and touring coaches onto monitors in the driver cockpit and offer additional safety.
Magazine
5 advantages of the MirrorCam.
Extended field of vision in Setra scheduled-service buses and touring coaches.
The optional MirrorCam replaces the conventional outside mirrors in Setra scheduled-service buses and touring coaches and is an important safety plus for the driver and other road users. The MirrorCam extends the field of vision and eliminates “blind spots” for the driver when turning right. The heated cameras provide a clear and comprehensive view of road traffic - even in darkness and bad weather conditions.
The advantages of MirrorCam at a glance:
#1: High‑resolution cameras for maximum security.
The high‑resolution cameras project the surroundings of the bus onto two large 15‑inch monitors, which are positioned in the cockpit so that they are easy for the driver to see. An additional seven‑inch monitor provides an optimum view of the front right corner area of the vehicle. The smaller monitor is automatically switched off on touring coaches at speeds above 35 km/h. The monitor remains active on scheduled-service and inter‑city buses. In addition, integrated photodiodes in the monitors detect incident light and adjust the brightness of the displays to the surroundings to ensure maximum readability. Three different fields of vision are thus available to the driver, which ensure the highest level of safety in road traffic and at the depot.
On the MultiClass LE regular-service buses, the monitors are located on the inside left of the A‑pillar and on the right in the middle under the front dome. In the ComfortClass and TopClass coach models, they are mounted on the inside left and right of the A‑pillars.
The MirrorCam transmits the surroundings of the bus directly to monitors in the cockpit that are easy to see.
#2: Good visibility in darkness and bad weather.
Thanks to the extended field of vision, the residual light enhancement and the heated camera lens, the MirrorCam enables a clear and comprehensive view during the day, at night and in poor weather conditions. Thanks to the larger viewing area, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users in the vicinity of the bus are also clearly visible in the dark as well as in rain, fog or snowfall. The improved visibility is particularly useful when manoeuvring, turning off and changing lanes, as well as in tight bends and roundabouts. The combination with Sideguard Assist 2 also eliminates the “blind spot” when changing lanes and turning right.
Extended field of vision, residual light enhancement and less air resistance compared to conventional outside mirrors.
Extended field of vision, residual light enhancement and less air resistance compared to conventional outside mirrors.
#3: Easier turning and overtaking.
A total of three guide and distance lines are shown in the 15‑inch monitors on both sides of the Setra scheduled-service buses and touring coaches, which make it easier for the driver to assess the camera images and help when turning, overtaking or manoeuvring. The permanently calibrated vehicle end line marks the length of the bus - of course with a corresponding safe distance. The distance line helps to estimate the speed of approaching vehicles and when changing lanes at the end of an overtaking manoeuvre. The third line, the overtaking assistant overlay, is activated when the turn signal is activated from a speed of 10 km/h.
In addition, the display for Sideguard Assist 2 is installed in the monitors, which helps to avoid “blind spots” and thus makes overtaking manoeuvres, driving through tunnels and parking situations even safer. The system uses radar sensors that continuously monitor the areas next to and behind the bus and warn the driver of pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and stationary obstacles in the “blind spot”.
The display of Sideguard Assist 2 is also installed in the cockpit monitors and offers additional safety.
#4: Easier manoeuvring.
Compared to conventional outside mirrors, the MirrorCam only protrudes slightly beyond the vehicle edges, while the overall vehicle length is shown on the monitors. In combination with the extended field of vision and warning advice of Sideguard Assist 2, this means better manoeuvrability and a minor risk of damage - especially when reversing, parking and manoeuvring on narrow roads or in parking spaces.
#5: Reduced fuel consumption, less soiling.
The MirrorCam not only impresses with its functionality, but also with its aerodynamic design. The cameras on the left and right reduce the frontal area of the bus and thus the air resistance of the vehicle. With this advantage over the previous integral mirrors, they make a significant contribution to improving aerodynamics. This in turn reduces fuel consumption. Compared to conventional outside mirrors, the small surface of the camera lens is also less susceptible to soiling and better protected against weather influences thanks to assembly in the camera wing.