Indigo Systems and Autoliv Form Night-Vision Alliance

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 11 -- Indigo Systems Corp. has announced a strategic partnership with Autoliv to develop affordable infrared cameras for automobiles and other vehicles that extend a driver's night-vision capability up to four times farther than conventional high-beams.

Using technology developed in conjunction with the US Army, these tiny cameras detect heat from objects and are calibrated to be sensitive to the wavelength of humans and animals. Because of their miniature size, the cameras can be mounted inconspicuously close to the driver's head, without obstructing normal vision. The display is on a television-like screen that stows away in the instrument panel during daylight hours.

General Motors has already paired with Indigo as a "cooperative source partner" in this effort to establish industry standards and solutions to night-vision systems.