Audi has recently announced the launch of their R18 LMP sports prototype. This has been outfitted with a digital rear-view mirror and is specially designed to make driving easier. It makes use of a lightweight roof-mounted camera which sends images directly to the AMOLED display located right at the place where the rear-view mirror remains attached.

 

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Audi’s Head of Motorsports said that they have used various day and night modes for this new digital mirror. If a car approaches from behind with high-beam headlights, clear image of it will be visible, instead of a glaring light spot. This system has already been tested on R8 prototypes. Soon, this will also be used in the R18 car in 24 Hours Le Mans.

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich praises his Motorsport drivers. According to him, these drivers need more mental and physical strength compared to the DTM drivers. The quick racers need to deal with a different vision. Two main reasons for this are the exceptionally low central seating position of the driver and the fact that unlike the Audi A5 DTM, the closed LMP sports models do not have a rear window.

 

Previously, Audi R18 drivers needed to rely on the outside mirrors. Rear end, the rear wings and the vibrations that occur at high speeds somehow limit the field of vision of these mirrors. Thanks to advanced technology, Audi’s new digital-rear view mirror produces an amazing image of the object. This shows anything happening behind the car on an AMOLED display. The image created is much better than any conventional mirror.

 

Why digital-rear view mirror is an absolute necessity in Audi sports models?

 

A very light weight camera with dimensions of a few millimeters is attached behind the antennas on the roof of the Audi R18. It records everything on a film and transmits it to the cockpit as digitalized data. So, the racing situation at the rear is viewed on a screen placed where inside mirror is usually placed. The mirror is weather-neutral. Unlike outside mirror, heavy water spray cannot impair the driver’s area of vision.

 

This is the result of latest diode technology. Active matrix OLED (AMOLED) display is used in place of conventional light-emitting diodes. AMOLED screens also show multi-colored images and offer a better resolution, thanks to its small pixels and diameters of around 0.1 millimeters. Amazing image quality and short response time further helps the driver. Even at the velocity of 330 km/h fluid image flow in real-time transmission is available. These screens are freely programmable. Audi uses them to display other data too. These include, the slip level of the tires that is currently engaged, information on the gear, and warning lights are integrated into the central instrument.

 

According to Dr. Ullrich, this instrument has contributed to active safety process, through this technology. He insists that Audi always brings new technology to the car world, keeping their driver’s convenience and safety in mind.  The AUDI AG’s Technical Development (TE) team helped in the process with components and effective knowledge.