BMW X5: Night Vision with pedestrian and animal detection

Principle

Night Vision with pedestrian and animal detection is a night vision system.

An infrared camera scans the area in front of the vehicle and issues a warning if it detects pedestrians and animals on the street.

General information

The system detects warm objects that are similar in shape to human beings or animals. If necessary, the thermal image can be displayed on the Control Display.

Thermal image

The image shows the heat radiated by objects in the field of vision of the camera.

Warm objects have a light appearance and cold objects a dark appearance.

The ability to detect an object depends on the temperature difference between the object and the background and on the level of heat radiation emitted by the object. Objects that are similar in temperature to the environment or that radiate very little heat are difficult to detect.

For safety reasons, when driving at speeds above approx. 3 mph/5 km/h and in low ambient light, the image is only displayed when the low beams are switched on.

A freeze frame is displayed at regular intervals for a fraction of a second.

Pedestrian and animal detection

Object detection and warning only functions in darkness.

Objects whose form is similar to people with sufficient heat radiation are detected.

In addition, the system also detects animals above a certain minimum size, for instance deer.

Display on the Control Display with thermal image activated:

• People detected by the system: in light yellow.
• Animals detected by the system: in dark yellow.

Range of object detection, with good ambient conditions:

• Pedestrian detection: up to approx. 330 ft/100 m.
• Detection of large animals: up to approx. 490 ft/150 m.
• Detection of medium animals: up to approx. 230 ft/70 m.

Environmental influences can limit the availability of object detection.

If the vehicle systems detect that the vehicle is located in a residential area, the animal detection is temporarily switched off.

Safety information

Warning

The system cannot serve as a substitute for the driver's personal judgment in assessing visibility and traffic situation. There is a risk of accident.

Adjust driving style to traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and actively intervene where appropriate.

Warning

Indicators and warnings cannot serve as a substitute for the driver's personal judgment. Due to its limits, the system may not issue warnings or reactions, or these may be issued late or in a manner that is not consistent with their normal use. There is a risk of accident. Adjust driving style to traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and actively intervene where appropriate.

Overview

Buttons in the vehicle

Intelligent Safety

Thermal image

Sensors

The system is controlled by the following sensors:

• Infrared camera.

The camera is automatically heated when the external temperatures are low.

When the vehicle lighting is switched on, the camera objective is cleaned at regular intervals when the windshield washer system is activated.

Additional information: Sensors of the vehicle.

Turning on

Turning on automatically

When it is dark outside, the system is automatically active after every driving off.

Switching on the thermal image

The thermal image from the Night Vision camera can be displayed on the Control Display in addition to the warning function. This function has no effect on object detection.

Press the button.

The image from the camera is displayed on the Control Display.

Adjusting the thermal image

Brightness and contrast can be adjusted, when the thermal image is switched on.

1. Select brightness or contrast:

• "Brightness".
• "Contrast".

2. Set the desired value.

Warning function

Display

The displayed icon may vary and shows the side of the road on which the person or animal was detected.

Warning of people or animals in danger

If a collision with a person or an animal detected in this way is imminent, a warning symbol appears on the instrument cluster and in the Head-up Display.

Although both the shape and the heat radiation are analyzed, unwarranted warnings cannot be ruled out.

Warning area in front of the vehicle

The warning area for the Pedestrian Warning consists of two parts:

• Central area, arrow 1, directly in front of the vehicle.
• Extended area, arrows 2, to the right and left of the central area.

With animal warnings, no distinction is made between the central or extended area.

The entire area moves along with the vehicle direction according to the steering angle and changes with the vehicle speed. As the vehicle speed increases, the area becomes, for instance longer and wider.

Prewarning

Prewarning for persons is displayed when a person is detected in the central area immediately in front of the vehicle as well as on the left or right side in the extended area.

Prewarning for animals is displayed when an animal is detected in the front of the vehicle.

If a prewarning is issued, intervene by braking or making an evasive maneuver.

Acute warning

Acute warning is displayed if a person or an animal is detected in direct proximity in front of the vehicle.

If an acute warning is issued, brake or make an evasive maneuver immediately.

Display in the Head-up Display

The warning is displayed simultaneously in the Head-up Display and on the instrument cluster.

System limits

System limits of the sensors

Additional information:

• Cameras

Limits of pedestrian and animal detection

In some situations, it may occur that pedestrians are detected as animals or animals as pedestrians.

Small animals are not detected by the object detection function, even if they are clearly visible in the image.

Limited detection, for instance in the following circumstances:

• People or animals who are fully or partially covered, especially when their heads are covered.
• People who are not in an upright position, for instance lying down.
• Cyclists on unconventional bicycles (e.g., recumbent bicycles).
• After physical damage to the system, for instance after an accident.

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