Will" front+side+rear "view camera ever replace the standard rear- and side-view mirror?

Replace the standard rear- and side-view mirrors? What's the big deal?

As we've already discussed in a previous Greenlings post, the aerodynamic efficiency of any given automobile is one of the contributing factors to calculating that vehicle's overall efficiency. Generally speaking (and assuming all else is equal), the more difficult it is to push a car through the air, the more energy will be used to travel a given distance. Now, take a look at the car that's parked in your driveway. See those big mirrors hanging off each side? Those likely detract from the car's aerodynamic efficiency.

Of course, safety is also of primary concern. While it might be possible to reduce the drag of a car's side mirrors, making them smaller would inevitably lead to a reduced view of what's going on around the car.

uh. So, what can we do about it?

As pointed out by the question in our opening paragraph, there are currently designs in the works that would replace the side-view mirrors in our cars and trucks with cameras, which would send a live image of the car's surroundings to a display for the driver to monitor.

If there's already a display for the side mirrors, it would make sense to incorporate the windshield-mounted rear-view mirror into the system as well.

That sounds cool, when might we see it?

Actually, you can already get a glimpse of this kind of technology in action. Many vehicles – often large pickups, SUVs and minivans – are already equipped with cameras that display a rear-view image while the vehicle is backing up. Such systems are implemented to help a driver see what's directly behind the car... like, say, a small child, and they aren't active all the time.

Further, automakers such as Volvo and Ford are using blind-spot warning systems that help keep a driver from changing lanes when another vehicle happens to be in an area the driver can't see.

None of those technologies, while interesting and possibly very useful, are exactly what we're talking about here, though. As of today, there aren't any new cars or trucks that use cameras and video feeds exclusively as a replacement for traditional mirrors.

The first vehicle using cameras and video feeds that does go into production may be the Aptera 2e. While that machine isn't technically a car – due to its three-wheeled arrangement, the 2e will be considered a motorcycle in most States – and will also be equipped with standard mirrors, it is expected to feature the kind of technology we're talking about.