Transportation

C3D’s portable Driver Vision Enhancement (DVE) system can be installed into any type of vehicle; heavy construction equipment, tug and barge systems, commercial fleets, and first responders, for example. The portable system is mounted effortlessly on the windshield with suction cups. Electrical power is provided through the vehicle’s 12VDC cigarette lighter. Using a thermal camera, the Driver Vision Enhancement (DVE) system allows drivers to see realistic depth perception in obscured environments with little or no visibility such as fog, snow, smoke, and dust. Thermal imaging allows drivers’ ability to see four times further than the range of headlights. This increases the driver’s situational awareness to see hazards from further away, reducing the likelihood of an accident, saving lives and property.

Transportation Applications Include:

• Automotive Industry
• Unmanned Vehicles and Robotics (air, ground, and sea)
• Waterway Vessels (barges tugs, tour boats) – View Our Video
• Heavy Construction (mining, trucking)
• Civil Transportation (buses)
• First Response Vehicles (fire, law, and security)

Automotive Industry

According to ABI Research, the commercial automotive night vision market is forecasted to reach $5 Billion by 2016. Traffic statistics demonstrate that accidents are significantly more likely at night and in foggy conditions than in daylight or clear conditions.

This is a market that C3D plans to enter. By modifying the already existing night vision system, C3D will be able to give the driver the ability to see accurate depth perception while driving. Instead of dangerously viewing a 2D image in low visibility weather, the driver will be able to operate with accurate depth perception.

Unmanned Vehicles and Robotics

The unmanned systems and robotics technology is the answer for solid intelligence gathering. Examples include ground robots (i.e. search and rescue), unmanned air vehicles, water surface, underwater, and bomb detection.

Via C3D’s software, accessibility to depth of field accuracy with the use of a single camera (already existing on the system) is of great value to unmanned systems and robotics companies. Our system has been viewed by many unmanned systems and robotic manufacturers and vendors across the country, including air, land and sea.

First Response Vehicles:

The C3D system allows fire-fighters to see through smoke during daylight and night time situations. C3D’s system has been viewed by California fire-fighters at all levels, Chief, Battalion Chief, and Engineer. Fire-fighters verbalized the benefits of their experiences, including search and rescue, structural integrity determinations, and identification of fuel sources for fires. Our system has also been viewed by border patrol officers and police across the country with positive feedback.

Testing and Evaluations (T&E’s):

Our system was tested by high-level agencies, which yielded written reports, rave reviews and a compilation of benefits to the user. In all of the testing and evaluation, law enforcement personnel and other government personnel drove at night on rugged terrain, black out conditions – at times in heavy fog and rain – at speeds up to 65 mph/105 km (versus 5 to 15 mph with the current 2D systems). Reviews (with numerous drivers’ feedback) were consistent. Convergent3D’s system provides a natural view with accurate depth perception. Evaluators reported their vehicles should be equipped with the C3D system to improve safety and efficiency. In general, comments from T&E reviews include:
• Increases safety
• Mitigates motion sickness and dizziness
• Improves speed of night operations
• Reduces operator error/confusion during night operations which often results in injuries, death, and damaged/lost equipment
• Improves target acquisitions
• Decreases night drive training time
• Reduces cost significantly
• Provide depth perception in commercial automobiles for safety

Testing Locations:
• Marines, Stark, Florida
• Waterway Authority, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – tested on a cruise ship and tugboat