So I had an idea. After my successful implementation of a camera watching the right lane when I signal (akin to Honda's LaneWatch System), I thought about doing something else that's somewhat drastic.

The typical Blind Spot Information System typically uses electromagnetic waves to detect an object in the Blind Spot of a car. Same thing with parking sensors in the front and rear of many cars.

So, being an engineer, I thought, what if I combined the two systems? Could that work? Am I an idiot for even thinking about this? Am I th--SQUIRREL!

Just kidding.

So I thought, could I get the rear parking sensors from the TL (sensors and the associated wiring and control box), install two of the sensors on the sides of the rear bumber facing slightly outward and rearward, hook them up to the control box, and hook the control box up to the car.

The way the control box would be hooked up is crucial: instead of being on when the car is in reverse, it would have to be hooked up to a switched power source like the ignition. This would allow it to run all the time. Therefore, in theory, and in my pea-sized brain, this would allow the sensors to detect the car using electromagnetic sensors, send the signal to the box, at which point the box would send out an audible beep. Or better yet, maybe the output from the box could be a small LED or light on that side of the car. Not sure on the outputs yet as I don't have the control box for the sensors.

This could of course be turned off by installing a switch in line with the power wire.

Am I nuts for thinking about this and wanting to try it?

 

I've thought about this too and to me the biggest "issue" is how to display the information to the user. A beep is annoying, an LED is not bad though. Most cars have something either in the side mirrors or on the dash. I'd probably go with a LED on the side mirror, discreet enough but also visible enough. I say go for it, then we can copy you.

 

I would need to see the output voltage to see what it says. Anyone have the accessory back up sensors with documentation that says what the outputs are?

 

Do you really need the factory backup sensors though? There's a million available online, some cheaper than others and they all pretty much work the same.
All you'd need to do would be drill holes in the bumper/whatever and route the necessary wires.

 

Oh man.. a beep every time a car passes your blind spot in a place like CA would be effing annoying.. maybe only beep when right turn signal is on perhaps ?


this seems ingenious

 

Found the manual online. No mention of voltage outputs from the control box.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...8VYJ4sP7Cjhncw

 

The sensors are uselss without the control box.

Scouring eBay, and yes, there are a million products just like this. And for $30, I would definitely try this out.

I would need to figure out where the wires hooked up to though. Most likely to the green brake wire from the lights, although I would not hook mine up this way.

 

this would be the only way I would do this.

 

That's where you're supposed to step in, with your engineering!

 

The beep would get annoying. The beep in the explorer is annoying when backing up as it is.

 

What blind spot? I find the TL to actually have none. At least compared to other cars I've driven. Not trying to troll, honestly. With the way I adjust my mirrors I really don't have any issues.

As for if you should try, hell yeah, why not? Sounds like you want to and what do you have to lose other than some time and money. Just don't fry anything if your TL is your daily driver

 

Not crazy at all! I think this is a great idea and I would love to see it! Definitely use the LED lights in the side mirrors. Also, you would probably need 2 control boxes - one for the left side, and one for the right side. Minor point and cost increase, as the eBay kits are just $10-$15.

I just received the kit linked below from China and would be happy to test anything, if the OP has some suggestions or requests. Maybe I'll try hooking up the electromagnetic strip to some LED lights, instead of the siren?

Newly Electromagnetic Auto Car Parking Reversing Reverse Backup Radar Sensor | eBay

 

Looks like some folks are working on this:

Continuing To Install Goshers Premium Blind Spot Monitoring System

Custom Blind Spot Detection System

 

I wanted this also - but I'm not down to have visible sensors on my bumper.

 

Well, when I pull the trigger on this, I'll let you know how it goes. I might actually get some of the el-cheapo kits to see how they work. For $35, why not?

 

I thought about hooking up the buzzer to the side turn lights, however, I already have the side view mirrors hooked up to them, and I don't want to blow the signal control box like I did last time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLoWLoH8xgo

 

use diodes, everything will be A-OK

do you still have any problems with your right lane signal camera?

just curious to where you wired the camera's positive to.

my custom hidden monitor automatically turns on whenever there's signal so it would be pretty easy to get done if I knew where to put the + wire to.

 

From the MICU, there is a signal that tells the side mirror blinkers to turn on and off. I intercepted that signal, ran a power cord from the output of the blinker MICU, and ran that + power signal to the side-view camara. Bam!

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-b...irrors-873176/

 

Time for creepin', the internets know where you live now.

I have nothing else to add, I think you got your idea well thought of already, now you just need to do it.

 

Did anyone else catch him say "Left hand camera" and point to the right passenger side mirror?




That is fricking AWESOME by the way, I'm just poking fun

 

Well you know engineers... they're born different.

 

Ya know....?!

 

So I have a small spot on my newly painted front bumper that was hit by what was mostly likely taped up screws on my front driver side, just under the left headlight on the side. I tried to buff/paint it out, but it was not perfect.

I have been thinking of putting front parking sensors on the front bumper, and for $13, why not try (and at the same time get rid of the unsightly mark)?

I will update this thread when I get the system.

 

I got the front side parking sensors installed. I have not hooked the control module to the car yet. I'm trying to decide which 12V source I want to use for the power.

This Christmas, I plan on hooking up the rear parking sensor system.

 

I got the first two sensors installed. One on each side. I plan on painting the sensors the same color as the car.

So the system beeps when it detects objects about three feet away (slow beep at first), and then starts to get faster once the car gets close to the object. I plan on installing the other two sensors on front of the bumper soon.

In addition, I plan on replacing the beeper with a light, depending on the voltage output for the beeper. If it's less than 3.5V, I will hook up the beeper output to an LED as the warning system.

 

So how does this tie in with the system @gatrhumpy ? Does it show up on the Nav?

 

Have not got there yet. I appreciate the interest. I need a front camera first. Right now, there are two sensors installed. I have to cut a hole in the bumper for the other two front sensors. This weekend I will do that and make a switch for the system. It beeps whenever a car pulls up next to me.

 

You gonna use Forstner bits to ensure clean holes?


(because I would )

 

Maybe.

 

System is outputting 2.6-3.2V for the bell. It would be perfect for an LED instead.

 

following just because this is awesome. i had this idea a few years ago but then my commute went down to 3 miles round trip, all back roads. good job so far!

 

I'm debating whether or not I want to get the little BLIS looking symbols for the mirrors, or just get small LEDs.

The only bad thing about the sensor system I got was that it doesn't distinguish between which sensor is getting closer to an object. It beeps if only one of the four sensors approaches an object. Not a big deal really for $12.

 

symbols!

 

Have to find some...

 

I can't find the little plastic pieces that light up in the interior part of the side mirrors. I think they're built into the mirror assembly.

 

Never mind. Found some on eBay. Not paying $56 per piece to do this.

 

So right now, the system I have only has one output for a bell. I would need to find a way to add or engineer two outputs from inside the box based on which side of the car the BLIS is lighting up or detecting vehicles. I might open the black box to see what's inside, but then again, I most likely will not.

This just might stay as front parking sensors right now.

 

So update: I bit the bullet and ordered an entire radar-based BLIS. It's basically the same as the OEM systems, with one major difference. With the OEM systems, they detect objects on the side of the car, even if they're not moving. On this system, it only detects differential movement on objects. So it only detects movement into your blind spots. If a car enters your blind spots and goes the same speed as your car, then the LED indicator lights don't light up. It's not bad for $127 that I paid for it on Amazon.

 

interesting! way to stick with it