Raytheon Infrared gives Hummer drivers the ability to see in the dark
SEPTEMBER 24--Raytheon Company's Raytheon Infrared (Dallas, TX; www.raytheoninfrared.com) has announced that its NIGHTDRIVER system is now available for the Hummer H2. The system features an infrared virtual image projected on a head-up display (HUD). This infrared technology aids nighttime driving visibility so drivers can see road hazards in time to avoid accidents. "Whether you're taking the H2 out for a night on the town or a night on the back roads, NIGHTDRIVER makes the driving experience much safer and more fun," said Raytheon Infrared president Chris Bade.
With NIGHTDRIVER, H2 drivers see three to five times the distance of standard headlights. According to the National Safety Council, during nighttime driving, traffic fatality rates are three times greater than in the daytime. With NIGHTDRIVER, drivers gain valuable reaction time when they need it the most. Driving at 60 miles per hour, NIGHTDRIVER provides up to 15 seconds to react, instead of approximately 3.5 seconds afforded by standard headlights.
The NIGHTDRIVER system projects a real-time electronic, black-and-white image on the HUD in the driver's peripheral view, just below the line of sight. Warm objects, such as people, animals and debris, are more easily detected and avoided. Unaffected by ambient light, NIGHTDRIVER also helps drivers see past oncoming headlight glare. In virtually every weather condition, using NIGHTDRIVER provides better visibility than the naked eye.
Though NIGHTDRIVER technology is currently available only in the HUMMER H1, H2, and Cadillac DeVille, Raytheon Infrared envisions widespread use of the technology in the future, helping to make a significant improvement in the overall safety of night driving.
More information about NIGHTDRIVER can be found on the NIGHTDRIVER Web site: www.nightdriver.com.