Going in Reverse: Celebrating Safety on National Backward Day
January 31st is known as National Backward Day. Although the founder of this holiday remains unknown, many people head nod this occasion by reversing certain items or habits. Some people eat dessert for breakfast, wear their clothes backward, or walk backward. Other people speak backwards on this day—maybe even on multiple days throughout the year, like YouTuber Backwords Dude.
Avoid doing “backward mode” at the gym, though, since this usually ends in disaster…
In all seriousness, though, we’d like to leverage this day to highlight just some of GM’s progressive technology features that enable us to back up our vehicles more safely.
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Surround Vision Camera
You can find this technology on many of Chevrolet and GMC models, including the 2018 Chevy Traverse pictured above. The feature incorporates a rear vision camera as well as two side-looking cameras mounted on the side mirrors and a camera mounted to the front grill area. When the driver puts the vehicle in reverse, the technology automatically triggers the cameras to display a 360-degree view of the car, to help avoid obstacles while backing up.
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Park Assist
Another GM technology that fosters safety when backing up a vehicle is GM’s Automatic Park Assist feature. The technology engages ultrasonic sensors mounted on the vehicle’s sides to detect a nearby vacant parking space, then notifies the driver who then presses a button to activate the Rear Parking Assist function to automatically maneuver the vehicle into the space.
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Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This technology is a popular add-on for owners of Chevy models. As depicted above, this tool employs radar sensors which detect approaching pedestrians, objects, and/or other vehicles behind the vehicle. It helps extend the driver’s line of vision to help them avoid obstacles that they might not have seen when they’re about to back up.
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News Sources: National Day Calendar
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.