In recent years, the installation rate of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in vehicles has been rapidly increasing. Across major automakers, these technologies are primarily concentrated at L2 to L3 autonomous driving. To achieve these functions, the number of cameras used in a single vehicle’s perception system generally exceeds 5.
Where are these cameras installed, and what are they called?
There are various ways to classify existing cameras: based on the number of CMOS lenses, they can be categorized as monocular or binocular; while based on the field of view, there are wide-angle and fisheye cameras.
In this article, Proinno will classify the cameras according to their installation positions and different fields of view. They are categorized into Front-view, Rear-view, 360-view, Side-view, and Interior-view cameras.
Front-View Camera
Installation location: Typically on the windshield or near the interior rearview mirror.
The camera used for forward driving assistance is generally referred to as the front-view camera. Its primary function is to identify vehicles, pedestrians, and the road ahead, with a field of view of approximately 45°. The image sensor works in conjunction with a dual-core MCU with DSP capabilities to provide incoming video frames for image processing and monitor conditions ahead of the vehicle. It enables advanced driver assistance functions such as Forward Collision Alert (FAM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Additionally, emerging night vision cameras are often integrated in this area.
Front-view cameras are commonly monocular or binocular. Binocular cameras offer better distance measurement performance but involve more complex algorithms and higher costs. The number of front-view cameras may vary. For example, Tesla uses three cameras in this position:
l A narrow-angle front-view camera with a maximum detection range of 250 meters;
l A main front-view camera with a maximum detection range of 150 meters;
l A wide-angle front-view camera with a maximum detection range of 60 meters.
As a core component of ADAS, the front-view camera supports functions such as distance measurement, object recognition, and lane marking detection. Its algorithms are complex, making it a high-barrier technology.
Surround-View Camera
Installation location: A set of cameras typically located on the front and rear logos (or nearby areas) of the vehicle, as well as integrated into the left and right side mirrors.
Surround-view cameras, also referred to as panoramic imaging monitoring systems, are designed to identify parking lane markings, road conditions, and surrounding vehicles. By stitching together images from multiple cameras, they provide a 360-degree view around the vehicle. To ensure comprehensive coverage of the vehicle’s surroundings, these cameras are commonly installed near the front emblem, grille, and other strategic positions.
At present, front-view and surround-view cameras represent the most widely adopted types of camera applications in vehicles.
Side-View Cameras
Installation location: On or beneath the left and right side mirrors, or on the corresponding lower body panels.
Side-view cameras are primarily used for Blind Spot Detection (BSD). Depending on their mounting position, they can serve either front-view or rear-view functions. Currently, most automakers choose to install these cameras below the side mirrors on both sides of the vehicle. In the future, traditional optical side mirrors may be replaced by cameras, evolving into electronic side mirrors utilizing Camera Monitor Systems (CMS).
Rear-View Camera
Installation location: Typically mounted on the trunk or rear windshield.
The rear-view camera is primarily used during reversing to assist the driver in capturing images behind the vehicle, enabling parking assistance functions.
Interior Camera
Installation location: No fixed position; possible locations include the steering wheel column, above the interior rearview mirror, on the A-pillar, or integrated into the instrument display.
Since current autonomous driving technology remains at Levels 2-3 and still requires human intervention, Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) have emerged as a key solution within ADAS. Most existing DMS solutions utilize near-infrared cameras and AI recognition technology. These cameras are positioned in front of the driver to comprehensively capture facial information.
Additionally, some manufacturers are expanding DMS to Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS), which can help prevent children or infants from being accidentally left in the rear seats.
It is important to note that a vehicle’s ADAS sensor suite is not limited to these five types of cameras. To achieve perceptual redundancy and ensure safety, automakers generally adopt multi-sensor fusion, combining cameras with radar technologies such as millimeter-wave, lidar, and ultrasonic sensors. Furthermore, the number of cameras integrated into vehicles is likely to continue increasing in the future.
