Samsung’s Safety Truck Could Save Thousands with a Simple Camera and Monitor Setup
Jun 19, 2015
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The rate of traffic accidents in Argentina is horrific; statistically speaking almost one person dies every hour, with 80% happening on roads and mainly while people try overtaking other vehicles.
While overtaking a sedan or SUV-sized vehicle can be a rather simple task, trucks are a different story. Due to their size, trucks are not only physically harder to overtake but they also block the view ahead for the drivers trying to pass them.
Samsung launched a prototype solution hoping to save lives in the country’s hundreds of one-way roads and eventually everywhere in the world.
Amazingly the solution could be extremely simple: the truck has a wireless camera mounted in the front and the footage is displayed on a screen on the back of the truck.
The video wall on the back of the truck, consisting of four external monitors, allow the drivers behind the over-sized trucks to see the road ahead of them and decide when it’s safe to overtake.
This will prevent cars from having to move into the opposite lane to “peek” and see if the road is clear, and the camera’s night vision mode makes sure the life-saving technology will continue to do its things around the clock, regardless of ambient lighting.
The ability to see in front of the truck will also come in handy for those who aren’t trying to overtake and are simply driving behind it, in cases such as animals on the road, accidents or anything else that could lead to sudden braking.
Samsung’s official blog reports that the prototype truck is no longer operational, presumably due to the trial period being over. That being said, the company is moving on with the project as it has confirmed that the technology works and has faith in its ability to save lives.
“The next step is to perform the corresponding tests in order to comply with the existing national protocols and obtain the necessary permits and approvals,” Samsung said. “For this, Samsung is working together with safe driving NGOs and the government”.
Being a cheap and easy yet extremely effective solution, hopefully it won’t be too long before we start seeing these video screens all over the world.
Sadly, however, I have a feeling that when we do finally see the screen they will be displaying more commercials than roads.
Liron Samuels
Liron Samuels is a wildlife and commercial photographer based in Israel. When he isn’t waking up at 4am to take photos of nature, he stays awake until 4am taking photos of the night skies or time lapses. You can see more of his work on his website or follow him on Facebook.
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20 responses to “Samsung’s Safety Truck Could Save Thousands with a Simple Camera and Monitor Setup”
that is rather cool!
Very good idea.
Nice idea, but would be quite a burden on truckers to install and maintain, and one more thing for thieves to target.
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.
I wasn’t being precise, I meant anyone who owned and/or operated trucks. They bear the cost, but the benefit is for everyone else. Not against it, just trying to reconcile the financial hurdle.
Moooy buenooo!
“Being a cheap and easy yet extremely effective solution, hopefully it
won’t be too long before we start seeing these video screens all over
the world.”
While I agree this is wonderful technology, I drive for a company that has over 1000 trucks. Multiply the cost of one unit by 1000 and all of a sudden it isn’t that cheap anymore.
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” …
So someone can attempt to overtake, get into a header and then file a lawsuit claiming their system showed a clear road. How about not tailgating the truck and allowing yourself enough space to see around.
How about looking for the positives instead of being such a Luddite. What is it with you ‘muricans and your willingness to see a litigation motive in everything.
This system is a vast improvement over being able to see nothing but the rear of the truck.
Another advertising placement opportunity.
We are relying too much on technology for driving safety in some cases. How about just using common sense behind the wheel
Sure would make things easier
brilliant
I have a better solution: don’t be a fucking idiot and use your brain while driving.
Can’t we use our own eyes n head?
For everyone saying “just don’t be an idiot” you obviously have no idea what you’re talking about.
I was approaching a stop light, it was red. A bus was in the right lane. Light turned green I started to accelerate. Two people walked out in front of my truck and I hit one, she died. They were j walking. The bus driver waved them on. I couldn’t see them until it was to late. The bus driver didn’t see me.
This device could have saved her life. She was 17.
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.
Idiocaracy. Watch that movie lol I completely agree with no tailgating and people need to use common sense.
But there are situations that this could save a life and I’m sure that was the reason behind the device. I’m not saying it’s perfect and honestly I’m biased from my accident but if I would have known this girl was j walking in front of the bus she might still be alive today and I wouldn’t have the ptsd issues I have today. She wasnt the only victim.
Could be dangerous as well as the following driver would be distracted from concentrating on the job at hand DRIVING.