Infiniti's EX35 Around View Monitor system makes windows redundant

Infiniti looks to be upping the ante in in-car cameras considerably with its new Around View Monitor system, which makes its first appearance in the company's new Infinti EX35 SUV. As you can probably guess, the system includes cameras at the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle, which are apparently intended primarily to help with parking, but we're sure will also find plenty of use for practical jokes around the neighborhood. While they didn't take advantage of that particular possibility, the folks at AutoSpies did get to check out the vehicle first hand, and they've thankfully provided a video of the camera system in action, which you can check out after the break.

[daedalus @ Sep 17th 2007 1:43PM]

looks like someone got a G35 pregnant

[Kennyb123 @ Sep 17th 2007 1:54PM]

"We can't even tell you how we're in this car!"

At least assure us you didn't break into it?

Also, do you really need a camera going forward? I'm pretty sure you can look over your dash...

[Allan @ Sep 17th 2007 2:04PM]

Brutal

[coach @ Sep 17th 2007 2:11PM]

A rear view camera can come in handy, but a front and side view camera? Use your mirror and human frontview2000 system aka your eyes.

[carguy84 @ Sep 17th 2007 2:32PM]

I think it's mostly for parallel parking - making sure you don't bump the guy in front of you, or scrape your rims on the side of the curb.

[Battlekat @ Sep 17th 2007 7:58PM]

I'm sure people said that about mirrors too when they first came out. "Just turn your head, lazy!"

[Mike @ Sep 17th 2007 2:18PM]

I saw this car at the NY Auto Show. It really is beautiful. It's what the Acura RDX should have looked like. I wonder if the all wheel drive capabilities will allow the EX35 to match the road handling abilities of the RDX?

[Bryan @ Sep 20th 2007 12:34PM]

Not sure if you ever saw the concept for the RDX but you are definitely correct. The RDX was actually going to have two cameras for the side mirrors and display them in an HUD for easy viewing.

[umm...hello?? @ Sep 17th 2007 2:20PM]

"this is a must have gadget...you're going to be sorry if you don't have one in the future.."....WTF?!!!?! Talk about laziness and not paying attention, especially given where the screen is located (and no, NOT "very safe"). Fricking morons.

[Neofish @ Sep 17th 2007 2:23PM]

I'm glad stuff like this is happening, cars are far, far, FAR too mechanical for their own good, looking over your shoulder (rear mirror isn't always appropriate) is silly... Although for safety reasons the old mechanical things should be left in place, they should be secondary to electronic systems, f1 cars are closer to the present than normal cars -_-

[apeguero @ Sep 17th 2007 2:24PM]

Am I the only one here that has been waiting for this technology? Why? Not for helping me drive but for helping me keep my car secured. Can these cameras be linked to the alarm system? Like, can they be left on while the car is parked? Just think people. Not only would it help id the crook but it would also help you determine just the f was that banged his door to your expensive Infinity.

[merce @ Sep 18th 2007 2:54PM]

i've been thinking the same thing, but the cameras are probably not even integrated otherwise it would've been mentioned.

[octoberasian @ Sep 17th 2007 2:47PM]

Anyone notice that the Infiniti is partially parked in the red-colored curb? >.>;

*cough* ticket the owner *cough*

But, cool feature, nonetheless. It would make spyin- *cough* watching other people when you try to park the car.

[Kennyb123 @ Sep 17th 2007 2:53PM]

You sure cough a lot. Need a Ricola cough drop?

RIIIIIIICOLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Paul Barwick @ Sep 17th 2007 2:56PM]

The film narrator says that the Infinity is the first to have this "...but it won't be the first for long." Oh, someone else will be first after a while? That'll be a good trick.

[Russ @ Sep 17th 2007 2:58PM]

"We applaud Infinity for being the first to bring to bring it into a car... but I'm telling you, they're not going to be first for very long."

lol.

[Steve Rudkin @ Sep 21st 2007 1:02AM]

Infiniti dealers today got the official ordering guide for the EX35. The guide outlines the color choices and option packages for the 4 models offered. Two of the "base" models will have no optional packages available and come in only "wheat cloth" interiors. For full details and color charts go to:

http://www.leaseinfinitiex35.com/news/2008-Infiniti-EX35-Color-Chart.htm

[KC @ Sep 17th 2007 3:17PM]

This is great. I hope they can apply the technology to blindspots while driving. I've seen so many near misses for side-swipes, and nearly been hit once too.

Then again, people just need to pay more attention to driving instead of talking/using the phone, etc.

[Abhishek @ Sep 17th 2007 3:22PM]

Great! Now just hand me a XBOX controller and I will drive my car in 3rd person view.
Not to mention that I can take it on sweet jumps, StuntMan style.

[HineyWipe @ Sep 17th 2007 3:27PM]

It needs something. A Turret. Yes, that's it. A Turret.

[daaper @ Sep 17th 2007 3:52PM]

and maybe rack-and-peanut steering?

[Steve Jobs @ Sep 17th 2007 3:28PM]

A blind spot camera on both sides of the car with a center display would be awesome. I constantly worry about who is in my blind spot, and I gotta turn around to check. To bad it'll take awhile to filter down to the normal mans vehicle.

[Pete_L_P @ Sep 17th 2007 3:44PM]

Most comments are completely missing the point, although carguy84 gets it. When parallel parking, it's impossible to see your bumpers at the point of closest contact, front and back at both sides.

With the rear view camera on my infiniti m45 I can park within 1 inch of the guy behind, and be certain I won't touch him. I can comfortably and quickly back down a steep twisty blind driveway in the dead of night, where I'd otherwise have zero visibility.

Now with these additional cameras you'll be able to see the tolerances at rear and sides in every situation. Whether you have tight spots or roomy spots these cameras will make parking an absolute breeze.

I guarantee that if you try it you'll love it.

[Michael @ Sep 17th 2007 3:49PM]

I hope that they put this inside the Infiniti G35 later on down the line. I was pretty impressed with the rear camera but this will ensure that I don't park too close to any cars.

[x factor @ Sep 17th 2007 4:00PM]

Hmm, well it seems to me that if you are now able to get "within and inch of the guy in front of you", that all they have to make now is a car the can move at right angles. You certainly won't have any room for getting out of there the normal way if everyone follows that line of driving...

[Pete_L_P @ Sep 17th 2007 8:41PM]

Not so.

The idea is (1)you can park real close to the next guy if he's got an easy exit because there's a driveway on his other end, and (2) it helps to get real close to reduce the number of back and forths, even when you want a little more distance when your done.

[x factor @ Sep 17th 2007 9:26PM]

Good observation, however, I am sure there will be the dumb wits that are not going to be so thoughtful and as long as they can squeeze in there they will do it. But still, you have a good point.

[TheNickus @ Sep 17th 2007 4:08PM]

Let's hope developers don't use this innovation as an excuse to make parking spaces tighter.

[Eric Whitney @ Sep 17th 2007 4:24PM]

I use a simpler solution than this for all of my parking needs. My 1991 F150 has a feature I like to call smash and park or SAP. I never worry about scratching my rims.

The real value of infinity's system that I see here is actually knowing what you are going to smash into.
My wife could use it to prevent running over tricycles, bikes,the lawn mower,slow dogs, kids........
not running over one kid would be worth it
oh good way to sell this

[Kevin @ Sep 17th 2007 4:55PM]

As far as "Why have a camera in the front?" I would like to say that I end up tailgated by people in fancy cars probably every other day. Why? Because their head is so far up their own ass that they don't notice they're driving like fuckwits.

If this thing will record me brake-checking the guy once or twice before he rear-ends me, so much the better.

[GazzyC @ Sep 17th 2007 4:58PM]

No comments mentioned Doom yet?

[asapuntz @ Sep 17th 2007 7:03PM]

not only when parked, this could be very helpful for accident evaluation. anytime the car detects anything extreme (brakes, roll/yaw, bumper impact) save the last 10s of video and other data.

[Johan S @ Sep 17th 2007 10:01PM]

I heard they'll be replacing the front windshield with a large widescreen high resolution LCD panel. It shows more details and can see better at night and through fog.



Ok, I made that up obviously.

[Craig Brown @ Sep 18th 2007 12:07AM]

To all of you haters on the cameras front and rear...it makes parallel parking 1000% easier. You're reading engadget and then bashing the tech.

Anyone notice the bit about self-healing paint? How the eff does that work?

[Bob @ Sep 18th 2007 3:09AM]

Why does the person walking around the back and sides of the car not show up in the in-dash camera?

[Alain @ Sep 18th 2007 3:11PM]

I thought this was the car that was supposed to have an LCD sun/moon roof?