Samsung’s Safety Truck Could Save Thousands with a Simple Camera and Monitor Setup

Do the truckers build their rigs themselves? I thought they just drove them.

I do think the idea (while theoretically a good one) is slightly flawed, though.

With video footage being played, if the rig has to brake sharply, I think it’s going to be far less obvious to drivers behind if they’re looking at the screen (as it’s going to constantly appear to be moving toward and away from the driver behind anyway as it speeds up, slows down, passes traffic, etc).

Also, the whole night vision thing… Given how much our eyes adjust to be able to see in the darker conditions inherent with driving at night, I do wonder if a big bright screen on the back of a truck is going to actually make it more difficult to see the dangers as our eyes can’t adjust as much as they otherwise would.

Agreed, ‘costs’ are relative and from where I sit they might seem low but the CEO of an large organization would certainly see the numbers quite differently …

However from someone who could benefit from such a service, alternatively if offered as an option at the trailers point of manufacture might be one way to defer or reduce costs for the buyer. At this point or some point after (although I feel as though I’m dealing with the devil) the manufacturer could push the marketing advantage of such a system. Many delivery services already use their vehicles for advertising and marketing so the walk to the marketing side of the equation (note: the following hint of sarcasm) wouldn’t be so long for these guys -In effect the benefit gained from advertising pays for the public safety service much like ads pays for our so called ‘free’ TV.

Off the top, one way the idea could be implemented is by adding a sensor that measures a following vehicles distance. At long distances ‘they’ might offer ads or marketing, then at close distances where the system is more likely best viewed and used present the view from the front facing camera.

I might or should also add as one commenter pointed out “How about just using common sense behind the wheel.” Yes, a driver has allot to deal with including the many distractions that is injected into the workload. But, where and when ‘technology’ can benefit or compliment our driving then why not use it -so long as it is used as an aid and NOT as a crutch !?!

Of course as all things in life and especially where ‘safety’ is the main or real concern such systems need to be tested and proven in field -as the post (OP) shows, indeed Samsung are looking into this “wonder of tech” …

You are right. A tv on the rear of a bus may have prevented that tragedy. But I think the people here are referring to the “idiots” who tailgate trucks and then merge blindly into oncoming traffic to overtake. This can be prevented with safe driving and, imo the tv could make people complacent and more likely to tailgate.