Land Rover invents the transparent trailer

We've seen Jaguar's see-through A-pillars, Land Rover's invisible bonnet and even a transparent truck created by Samsung now get ready for the transparent trailer.

Land Rover has announced its researchers have developed an innovative camera system that makes a caravan or horse float appear see-through when being towed.

The British off-road brand will demonstrate its pioneering transparent trailer research in a Range Rover prototype at the Burghley Horse Trials in the UK over September 3-6.

It says it removes the blind spot created when towing, making overtaking safer and aiding parking manoeuvres by improving the visibility of other vehicles and objects.

The system combines the video feed from the vehicle’s existing surround camera system (comprising a reversing camera and cameras on each wing mirror) with video from a digital wireless camera that is placed on the rear of the trailer or caravan.

The video feeds are then combined to create live video images that make the trailer behind appear see-through. When the trailer is coupled to the towing car, the live video feed automatically appears in the rear-view mirror inside the vehicle.

“When you are overtaking it is instinctive to check your mirrors, but if you are towing your vision is often restricted with large blind spots," says Jaguar Land Rover's Director of Research and Technology, Dr Wolfgang Epple.

"Our Transparent Trailer project is researching how we could offer a view out of the vehicle unrestricted by your trailer, no matter what its size or shape. Our prototype system offers a very high quality video image with no distortion of other cars or obstructions.

"This means the driver would have exactly the right information to make safe and effective decisions when driving or manoeuvring, making towing safer and less stressful.”

In tandem, the company's Cargo Sense research technology is an in-car trailer monitoring system that allows drivers to view their cargo and assess the situation inside the trailer from the safety of the driver’s seat.

The system employs an in-trailer camera and pressure-sensitive mat that detects the movement of loads and sends a ‘Check Cargo’ warning to the driver if there is an issue.

Land Rover says live footage of inside the trailer would be displayed via the vehicle's infotainment screen – to the passenger if the vehicle is in motion.

Furthermore, Cargo Sense App allows drivers to check the status of both their trailer and load remotely when away from their vehicle.

For example, if a horse owner is away from the float while at an equestrian event, the system could automatically alert them via SMS if the horse is distressed, if the temperature inside has exceeded safe levels, or if the trailer is being tampered with.

“Many of our customers tow valuable cargoes for business and pleasure, so we are researching a range of technologies that would enhance the towing experience and make it safer – for the driver and even their horses," said Dr Epple.

"A permanent video feed through to the dashboard from the trailer has the potential to distract the driver from the road ahead. Instead we are developing a more intelligent system that is able to detect a problem with the horse in the trailer and warn the driver.

"The video is then available for owners to view the inside of the trailer and support a decision to pull over and check the horse.”