The introduction of so-called mirrorless cars will accelerate as related laws are revised
Patent applications for camera monitor systems have increased significantly over the past three years.

The era of cars without side mirrors is coming.

The Korean Intellectual Property Office announced that the number of applications for watch devices (field of view) using camera technology has increased by an average of 55 cases over the past three years, leading to an increase in the overall number of applications.

Domestic patent applications in the vehicle clock device field had been decreasing every year until 2013, but with the revision of automobile-related rules requiring the installation of side mirrors in January of this year (Rules on Performance and Standards of Automobiles and Automobile Parts), camera monitor systems, which had been considered auxiliary devices in vehicles, can now replace side mirrors.

As the so-called 'mirrorless car' is becoming a reality, patent applications for clock devices using camera technology have also been increasing recently. Looking at the recent filing status by year, there were 52 cases in 2014, 66 cases in 2015, and 48 cases in 2016, showing that the number of applications for clock devices using camera technology has increased since 2013.

By applicant (2007-2016), the order of applications was Hyundai Motor Company with 51 cases, Hyundai Mobis with 41 cases, SL Corporation with 21 cases, LG Innotek with 16 cases, Samsung Electronics with 13 cases, and LG Electronics with 12 cases.

The reason for this increase in patent applications is largely due to technological advancements and the fact that the United Nations World Forum on Automotive Standards (UNECE/WP29), which practically determines international automobile safety standards, has already relaxed safety standards to eliminate the obligation to install side mirrors if cameras and monitors provide images at the same level as mirrors.


The technology fields of watch devices using camera technology include existing mirror device assistance and support technology (eliminating blind spots) and camera control technology (such as linkage control with vehicle equipment). In addition, there are image display technology (image synthesis, display, etc.), obstacle recognition and warning technology, and existing mirror device replacement technology. In the meantime, automakers have introduced various concept cars with mirrorless technology applied.

If a camera monitor system is introduced instead of side mirrors, the field of view will be expanded, minimizing blind spots, which will have the advantage of preventing vehicle safety accidents more effectively. In addition, it will help the vehicle's quietness by reducing wind noise, and fuel efficiency is expected to increase as air resistance decreases. However, mirrorless cameras also have some disadvantages, such as difficulty securing a field of vision when rainwater or other foreign substances get on the camera, and an increased risk of failure due to the increased number of electrical components.

A patent office official predicted, “Ensuring the safety and durability of future camera monitor systems will be key to their popularization, and patent applications to solve these issues will continue to be filed.”