Nippon Audiotronix to expand production and range of rearview sensors

Anticipating increased demand for its products following the Indian government’s recent decision to make rearview sensors mandatory in all cars, in-car entertainment manufacturer Nippon Audiotronix is to expand its production capacity for the component.

The government of India had announced its decision to make rearview sensors or reverse parking sensors mandatory at the curtain raiser event for the World Roads Meet (WRM 2017) organised by International Road Federation (IRF). A directive is expected to be announced soon. Once made mandatory, car manufacturers will either have to make the OEM fitment or as a mandatory package in DOP at the time of purchase of a car.

Nippon Audiotronix has been manufacturing and supplying reverse parking systems in India since 1997. Pricing for its entry level sensor kit starts at Rs 2,290 and goes up to Rs 12,000.

The company says it has a wide product portfolio of Rear Parking Assist Systems (RPAS). The alarm visual range contains features like a digital LED display unit for visual display of distance to obstacles and direction of obstacles, four-stage audible alarm to alert the driver and distance-direction warnings too. The basic parking sensor has four sensors, controller and buzzer while the upgraded version has a digital display with sensors, controller and buzzer.

The video range has a night vision camera and a parking line display on a TFT screen to see the rear of the car across a 160deg angle. The screen can be installed in place of the original inside rearview mirror or on the dashboard.  

Eyeing launch of intelligent parking systems

Nippon Audiotronix is working on the feasibility of launching intelligent parking systems at a competitive price for the Indian market.

Sanjiv Tayal GM (Engineering), Nippon Audiotronix, said: “While high-end cars usually come with rear sensors, we expect more demand in future from entry level car users as motorists become more aware and concerned about safety. We currently sell around 200,000 rear sensors annually but in the next two years we expect it to increase by 5-10 percent.”

The rearview system components include sensors that calculate the distance between an obstruction and the car to alert the driver, a control unit that connects sensors and buzzer, digital display that shows distance and a TFT screen that shows real-time image when connected with a camera

Tayal added, “Along with sensors, we would like to recommend other safety devices such as TPMS, DVRs and GPS tracking systems which are already being utilised for passenger safety and security in foreign countries. They can help prevent accidents.”

Top tips before buying a rearview sensor

- Ensure proper sensor fitment as per standards.

- Installation of RPAS kits should be done by trained personnel.

- Always choose original, genuine products and parts.