Today’s automobiles are dramatically safer than vehicles built 50 years ago. A long list of new highway design and vehicle requirements in combination with competitive innovation and drive has created a modern fleet of vehicles with a remarkable safety trend.

One of the most significant advancements in automotive safety has been the development of the airbag safety restraint system. Its purpose is to cushion and protect vehicle occupants during a crash from impacting with other interior objects, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, side windows and pillars.

One of the major challenges for camera designers is dealing with the very large dynamic range to which the camera is exposed—from bright sunshine to night darkness. The camera must give a full representation of the scene behind the vehicle to the operator regardless of lighting conditions.