Modern safety systems can recognize pedestrians, cyclists, and even large animals on the road. However, the space directly under the car still remains practically a "blind spot." The new technology is designed to solve this problem.

Developers are working on a system that can detect animals hiding under the car before it starts moving. This function is especially relevant for cats, which often climb under parked cars in search of warmth or shelter.

The concept involves using cameras, sensors, and computer vision algorithms to scan the space under the chassis. If an animal is detected, the driver will receive a warning via the dashboard or multimedia system. In the future, the system could automatically delay the start of movement or activate an audible signal to scare the animal away.

Similar technologies are already used in other areas of automotive safety. For example, modern ADAS complexes can recognize animals on the road using cameras, radars, and thermal imagers, and some systems automatically brake when there is a threat of collision.

The main feature of the new development is precisely the control of the space under the car. For urban conditions, this could be the next stage in the development of surround view systems and automatic collision avoidance.

The problem concerns not only animals. Such technology could potentially detect forgotten items, obstacles, or foreign objects under the car even before the trip begins. For manufacturers, this is a relatively inexpensive way to expand the capabilities of existing cameras and sensors without serious redesign of the car's structure.

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