If you thought night vision technologies were only in the Special Forces or in the movies, then think again. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is offering night vision to drivers.

It has been two years in the making, but the XVision infrared nighttime vision technology is the first and only visual collision avoidance system for commercial vehicles.

The product has been available since December 2001 and Bendix has since sold over 200 systems to Canadian and U.S. fleets.

Bendix was a key participant in a significant human factor evaluation study during 2001.

Twenty-four CDL licensed drivers spent one-hour on a public road familiarization drive then completed 96 laps for 200 miles on a closed track.

Drivers were subjected to both staged (ex: pedestrian) and un-staged (ex: deer) events to measure their responses.

When the results came back, data suggested that XVision helps drivers detect objects at distances of over 1,500 ft and pedestrians at around 1,400 ft.

There was no additional driver fatigue and no additional driver distraction in the task of maintaining lane position and speed at both 30 mph and 60 mph.

Driver testimonials indicate the infrared camera provides adequate clarity and time for drivers to detect objects, all the while providing an enhanced feeling of safety while using the still new technology.

“XVision provides increased visibility and reaction time. That’s a fact,” says Bendix’s director of new ventures, Andreea Raaber. “It gives an understanding of what is looming out there in the darkness.”

The unit has a camera mounted on the outside of the cab and a viewing screen in the place of the review mirror.

Raaker says currently the suggested price for the unit is no more than $4,000 (US).

Bendix is currently working with insurance companies as well as OEM’s to have the units factory installed.

One third of the 200 already sold have made their way to Canada while the rest are in the U.S.