2014 Mini Cooper to come with new driver assist systems

Like many other carmakers have done recently, Mini has announced a host of safety and driver assist systems. The all-new 2014 Mini Cooper, which is set to be unveiled at next month's LA Auto Show, will include features such as a head-up display, collision and pedestrian warning system with city braking feature, digital headlight assist system, a parking assist system and traffic sign memory system. The new Mini will make its world debut in early 2014 simultaneously in London and at its plant in Oxford.

A clearly differentiated colour scheme on the HUD makes it easy to distinguish between general information like speed limits and navigation data and urgent warnings

Head-up display

Instead of the windscreen, as in case of BMW, the Mini displays information onto a small folding screen on the dashboard that can be seen by the driver without taking his eyes off the road. The information that can be displayed in the MINI HUD includes the speed in numbers, navigation instructions in arrow-based graphics and junction layouts, optical signals for collision warnings, display symbols for the speed limit information and no passing display systems, and details of the entertainment programme, such as radio channel or music track. A clearly differentiated colour scheme makes it easy to distinguish between general information like speed limits and navigation data and urgent warnings, thus reducing the corresponding response time.

Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking Function

 The camera on the windshield at the same level as the rear-view mirror works with the various systems. This includes the collision warning/pedestrian warning with automatic braking. It tracks pedestrians and vehicles in front of the car and delivers audio/visual warnings to the driver. If there is no response, the car starts braking automatically at speed of up to 45kmph. This city braking system contributes to greater safety in urban traffic. The collision warning system, which registers when the distance between the MINI and the car in front is too small or when the speed difference is too great, can also be used at higher speeds.

The camera on the windshield at the same level as the rear-view mirror works with the various systems

Park assist

The new park assist enables better parallel parking. It makes use of sensors to measure parking spaces and displays the appropriate one in the Mini central information display. The automatic parking sequence is button enabled and the driver need not steer. The digital headlight assist system activates and deactivates high beams. This is done depending on traffic and lighting conditions. The traffic sign memory system allows the MINI driver to retain an overview despite the jungle of signs he encounters. The front camera on the internal mirror registers traffic signs along the road and the information derived from these is displayed in digitized form on the instrument cluster. The driver is thus informed about the permitted maximum speed at all times. The system registers both static traffic signs and dynamic overhead displays on highway bridges."

Mini central information display