How Cool Is This?!

[KMC1]

WOOT!!! Go Kawasaki!!! :clapping: :beer:

Night Vision and HUD (http://www.gizmag.com/kawasaki-set-to-debut-night-vision-helmet-mounted-heads-up-displays-and-collision-avoidance-technology/11900/)

[meese]

I've been following this technology for a while now.

Cadillac used to offer a passive infrared system (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/sep2004/tc20040914_2165_tc178.htm) in its Deville cars, as did Lexus in a few high-end models. But high cost and poor performance led to a drop in sales of those units, so they have been discontinued.

Honda now offers an improved passive infrared system (http://www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/news/individual%20news%20articles/y_041025_honda-intelligent-night-vision-system.htm) in Japan, and is considering bringing it to Europe and the US. Lexus and Ford are now developing more active near-infrared technologies, but they're still a ways out.

Meanwhile, a European consortium is trying to develop a low-cost night vision system (http://optics.org/cws/article/research/21170). If they can bring the costs down and the quality up, we may start seeing these systems offered in more new cars.

But the Kawasaki rumor is the first time I've seen this specifically targeted at motorcycles. I can't wait to see a working prototype unit.