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Aftermarket RearVision Could Cut Back-Up Accidents

Burney Simpson

An autonomous aftermarket product called Pearl RearVision offers a strong focus on safety and could be on cars before the end of the year.

The camera system from Pearl Automation was officially launched in June, the brainchild of three former Apple executives.

Pearl RearVision is a backup camera and alert system that offers a 175 degree HD view in both day and night. It streams a video to the driver’s smartphone that is mounted at eye-level. New features to the system are sent automatically.

RearVision retails for $499 and includes three parts — a camera frame with two cameras, a car adapter and a phone mount. Users also have to download an app.

The camera frame is uni-body aluminum and fits standards license plate frames. It has two HD cameras installed, one for daytime, and one for night.

The adapter weighs 1.5 ounces and is about half the size of a cigarette pack. It plugs in the car’s on-board diagnostic port and sends both visual and multi-tone alerts when it senses an obstacle.

The driver’s phone provides the visual feed. The phone mount means it’s hands-free.

The RearVision can be installed in minutes, according to its makers. A short video provides a step-by-step description.

However, the product won’t be shipped until September and is only available in the US.

Users need to have a car that is 1996 or newer. The user will have to download the app, and have an iPhone 5 or newer, with iOS 9 or newer. Select Android phones work but must have Bluetooth 4.0 and Lollypop 5.0 or newer.

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The Pearl RearVision addresses a major safety problem – backing up, especially in driveways and parking lots.

Nearly 18,000 people are injured annually in back-up crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Back-up collisions are the leading cause of non-traffic fatalities for children, according to kidsandcars.org.

All new vehicles under 10,000 pounds must have backup cameras by May 2018 (the 2019 model year), under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules.

Pearl Automation says it wants to get autonomous technology into vehicles now.

“While much of the industry is focused on bringing new car features to new cars, we believe everyone deserves access to the latest technology, especially those features that make the driving experience more enjoyable, less stressful and safer for everyone on the road,” according to a blog from CEO Bryson Gardner.

Pearl raised $50 million in Series A & B funding from Accel, Shasta Ventures, Venrock, and Wellcome Trust, according to Santa Cruz Tech Beat.

The three co-founders include Gardner, COO Brian Sander and VP of Engineering Joseph Fisher.