We failed to develop rear vision so we're putting eyes in the back of our cars.

Indeed, there are moves in the US for all new cars to be fitted with reversing cameras from 2013.

AVOID DANGER OF SNATCH-STRAP

The proposal, from the nation's peak safety body, is to reduce driveway mishaps involving kids.

Basic reversing systems use just a camera but some developers, such as Bosch, have set-ups that add ultrasound technology.

Video provides a broad view while ultrasound is accurate to the centimetre.

Even more complex are multi-camera systems that give the driver a bird's-eye view.

This helps the driver to spot obstacles when manoeuvring.

Some camera systems can actually analyse the still and moving objects, then provide audible and visual warnings.

REDUCING ROAD RAGE

Harman has developed sat-nav that combines live video with route information.

With conventional sat-nav, it is still easy to take the wrong exit from a roundabout.

With the Harman method, the driver gets a realistic view of the road ahead overlaid with clearly marked directional cues for off-ramps and exits.

The developer also has a new camera-based parking aid that mixes real camera data with virtual-reality modelling.