The 1956 Buick Centurion: Pioneering Backup Camera Technology
The First Car With A Backup Camera Was This 1950s Concept
Image: Jalopnik
The 1956 Buick Centurion XP-301 concept car introduced innovative features, including a backup camera that streamed video to a dashboard monitor, setting the stage for future automotive technology. While the Centurion showcased this concept, the first production car with a rearview camera was the 1991 Toyota Soarer GT in Japan, followed by the 2002 Infiniti Q45 in the U.S.
- 01The Buick Centurion XP-301 featured a unique design with a 'bubble top' roof and space-age tailfins.
- 02The Centurion's backup camera eliminated the need for a rearview mirror, streaming video to a 4-by-6-inch dashboard monitor.
- 03Toyota's 1991 Soarer GT was the first production car to implement a rearview camera system.
- 04The first rearview camera in the U.S. was introduced in the 2002 Infiniti Q45.
- 05Backup cameras have significantly reduced child injuries and deaths from back-over incidents, with a 50% decrease in severe injuries since their mandatory installation.
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The 1956 Buick Centurion XP-301 concept car was a groundbreaking vehicle that introduced several innovations, including a backup camera. This camera replaced the traditional rearview mirror, utilizing a small television-style lens that streamed live video to a monitor on the dashboard. The Centurion's design, featuring a striking 'bubble top' and tailfins, set a precedent for future automotive aesthetics and technology. However, it wasn't until the early 1990s that the first production car with a rearview camera was launched — the Toyota Soarer GT, which included high-tech features like GPS navigation and a TV receiver. The first rearview camera available in the United States appeared in the 2002 Infiniti Q45. The implementation of backup cameras has had a profound impact on safety, leading to a nearly 50% reduction in severe injuries to children from back-over incidents, and a staggering 78% decrease in reported child deaths due to such accidents since their mandatory installation in vehicles.
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The introduction of backup cameras in vehicles has greatly enhanced safety for children and pedestrians, making driving environments safer.
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