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'Transparent' Prius concept lets you see through the back seat, for safety

Autoblog -- The concept of making a back seat "transparent" in order to eliminate blind spots is making the publicity rounds thanks to the so-called "see through Prius" that recently got some exposure in both Los Angeles and Tokyo.

Earlier this fall, Japan's Keio University showed off a "see-through" Prius at Tokyo's Digital Content Expo, according to CNET. Using camouflage technology developed about a decade ago that uses a small camera that captures an image from behind the car and projects it onto the backseat to create an illusion of transparency. The idea is to basically eliminate blind spots and improve the trusty dashboard camera to give the driver a good, but not always complete, view of what's going on behind the car.

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Submitted Dec 07, 2012 By: BennoBlue

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StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,392 Points:1,386,690 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 12:52:51 PM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse Possibly not working for me, as the last three cars I've driven have either not had a back seat, MGB and Corvette and inbetween a Nissan Pulsar that I never had the back seat up for seating, just used the back as a permanent hatch. Since that covers almost 40 years, not likely to change now.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,818 Points:1,636,245 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 7:59:15 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse I'll pass on that one. Thanks.
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,950 Points:669,015 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 12:44:43 AM Ignore bston Report Abuse Camouflage technology; now there's an idea for cars!
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,208 Points:1,697,005 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 8:36:23 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse Weird.
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,927 Points:780,580 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 3:58:41 PM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse what ever
skinsfan125 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,604 Points:304,050 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:38:41 AM Ignore skinsfan125 Report Abuse hopefully, this is like a one way mirror, you can look out but they cant see in.
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,955 Points:1,491,945 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:37:37 AM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse Hocus Pocus!
SycamoreISU Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,065 Points:275,825 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:32:52 AM Ignore SycamoreISU Report Abuse This sounds more like a gimmick than a safety feature. What if people are actually sitting in the seat?
TTM77 Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,160 Points:1,222,250 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:26:09 AM Ignore TTM77 Report Abuse lol bad idea.
RedskinGas Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,083 Points:1,144,860 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:25:12 AM Ignore RedskinGas Report Abuse This should only work when you have the car in reverse.
032946 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:19,999 Points:4,070,770 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:22:11 AM Ignore 032946 Report Abuse Souonds like a gimic to me. Just another didtraction for dirvers.
PrepHermit Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,165 Points:1,662,385 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:20:21 AM Ignore PrepHermit Report Abuse Sounds pretty cool, but how will it affect what I pay for gas?
mysub Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:9,046 Points:2,357,190 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:20:19 AM Ignore mysub Report Abuse Doesn't sound practical to me.
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:8,610 Points:2,343,745 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 10:14:13 AM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse That is what a rearview mirror is for. It can be inside or outside the drivers area.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,578 Points:2,372,235 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:52:30 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse 'Transparent' Prius concept lets you see through the back seat, for safety, more distracted driving by looking at the backseat to see what is behind you and not out the windshield. This might apply in some applications but not for this one. Mirrors (rear view and side) work very well, why not stay with a proven application? Redesign that boxy Prius so this does not need to happen. If someone is sitting on the backseat what will they look like from the front? Harry Potter and the invisible cape? Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
angel4me Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,814 Points:802,645 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:52:16 AM Ignore angel4me Report Abuse interesting..........
Rhino8of8 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,336 Points:399,315 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:39:13 AM Ignore Rhino8of8 Report Abuse Interesting idea, but (to me), it reduces the skill or increases driver's need for technology in order to drive. If they no longer have that car, or have to drive some other vehicle, won't they be lost? For example, was on a business trip with someone who had automatic headlights on his personal vehicle. After 20 minutes of driving in near dark (late dusk), I asked him if he would mind turning on his headlights.... he FORGOT that HE needs to have lights on? And that was SIMPLE tech. These higher end things... Oh what I can imagine. "Sorry, judge. I ran over that kid because I wasn't driving my car with the beepers that let me know there is something behind me."
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,202 Points:1,767,810 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:38:28 AM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse usually.. it is most prudent to face backward while moving in reverse.. ever heard the phrase "why don't you look where you're going?" well... likely that's because you weren't! [Edited by: Joeski1 at 12/7/2012 9:41:43 AM EST]
oas Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,365 Points:2,168,140 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:36:47 AM Ignore oas Report Abuse Kinda weird.
Ticobird Champion Author Huntsville Posts:3,324 Points:1,136,405 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:35:14 AM Ignore Ticobird Report Abuse Strange concept when it would be a lot easier to simply display what's behind on a dashboard display.
TC5504 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,075 Points:220,735 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:28:35 AM Ignore TC5504 Report Abuse Ok
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:7,704 Points:1,480,985 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:25:50 AM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse How well does the concept work with passengers or packages in the back seat? I don't see this being a viable offering any time soon.
Mariuxus Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,887 Points:1,897,530 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:18:06 AM Ignore Mariuxus Report Abuse ok...so....?
cableman31 Champion Author New York Posts:8,917 Points:2,033,655 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:17:58 AM Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse What ever happened to the old fashioned turning your head. Today drivers are getting so lazy it's a disgrace. Most drivers today, and I use that term very loosely, CAN'T DRIVE. Sure they can make the car go but that isn't driving. There is a lot more to it then just making the car move. And the biggest problem on the road today is most drivers think they are the only one on the road and they do things without looking.
Ebaz Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,340 Points:737,965 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:17:51 AM Ignore Ebaz Report Abuse Driving backwards takes a big leap.
dieselfiendSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,261 Points:870,605 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:15:45 AM Ignore dieselfiendSC Report Abuse No thank you
garjul Champion Author Flint Posts:1,716 Points:674,140 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:14:30 AM Ignore garjul Report Abuse Just when you thought you heard it all.
zwsn01 All-Star Author Alabama Posts:692 Points:464,195 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:12:06 AM Ignore zwsn01 Report Abuse It's still a Prius.
MikLamb Champion Author Texas Posts:8,120 Points:2,201,845 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:11:10 AM Ignore MikLamb Report Abuse Interesting.
PackerfanMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,044 Points:291,075 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:11:08 AM Ignore PackerfanMN Report Abuse Bad idea!
Wierbe Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,887 Points:1,145,840 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:11:04 AM Ignore Wierbe Report Abuse Why not just lower the belt line around the car? Back windows seem to get smaller every year due to the raised belt.
JasTheAce Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,105 Points:199,060 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:10:04 AM Ignore JasTheAce Report Abuse don't the Japanese Auto makers have BLIS? American cars are so superior to the world now it's just laughable.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,469 Points:1,563,535 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:09:29 AM Ignore danreino Report Abuse And if the camera fails ? See ya !
Sethyl Champion Author Miami Posts:1,889 Points:404,190 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:06:57 AM Ignore Sethyl Report Abuse bad idea. when this fails and someone relies on it, bad accidents occur.
nwhawk Champion Author Kansas Posts:2,091 Points:597,280 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:06:52 AM Ignore nwhawk Report Abuse Will this replace back seat drivers??? lol
mnbeancounter Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,966 Points:1,089,620 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:06:12 AM Ignore mnbeancounter Report Abuse What will it cost
Costello Champion Author South Dakota Posts:1,529 Points:1,180,825 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:05:34 AM Ignore Costello Report Abuse Just another way to eliminate good driving habits.
ggg452 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,705 Points:358,550 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:05:24 AM Ignore ggg452 Report Abuse Whatever makes cars safer is a good thing.
k2kipp Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,238 Points:1,147,925 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:05:02 AM Ignore k2kipp Report Abuse More to raise sticker prices
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:8,858 Points:1,665,785 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:05:00 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse A little mind blowing.
sparkie951 Champion Author Roanoke Posts:4,314 Points:876,960 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:04:30 AM Ignore sparkie951 Report Abuse What about when people want to use the back see for more traditional uses... Does that mean everyone can watch... LOL
OOXXFF Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,193 Points:1,105,905 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:04:26 AM Ignore OOXXFF Report Abuse Wonderful.
CAD69 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,341 Points:872,965 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:02:27 AM Ignore CAD69 Report Abuse Good idea if it works
Bullseye520 Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,332 Points:694,115 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:02:22 AM Ignore Bullseye520 Report Abuse Interesting, but has NOTHING to do with gas prices or MPG!
dm9667_23 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,287 Points:375,425 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:02:19 AM Ignore dm9667_23 Report Abuse dumb
INBwana Champion Author Indiana Posts:5,702 Points:722,710 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:00:59 AM Ignore INBwana Report Abuse How you going to see through the passengers? Sounds like more cost than practical.
maxcap59 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,875 Points:610,195 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:00:51 AM Ignore maxcap59 Report Abuse I guess you won't be seeing kids using that car to go "parking".
BCHS76 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,048 Points:872,785 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:00:40 AM Ignore BCHS76 Report Abuse Does it make the backseat passengers invisible, too? Now we're talking!
arcaneradio Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,641 Points:513,965 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 9:00:13 AM Ignore arcaneradio Report Abuse Okie dokie
Edpap Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:4,486 Points:530,650 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 8:59:53 AM Ignore Edpap Report Abuse many drivers can't even go straight ahead