This paper describes the real-time implementation of a vision-based overtaking vehicle detection method for driver assistance systems using IMAPCAR, a highly parallel SIMD linear array processor. The implemented overtaking vehicle detection method is based on optical flows detected by block matching using SAD and detection of the flows' vanishing point. The implementation is done efficiently by taking advantage of the parallel SIMD architecture of IMAPCAR. As a result, video-rate (33 frames/s) implementation could be achieved.

As in other fields, the automatization of railway maintenance work is a firm requirement. The authors have developed a system detecting obstacles around a railway for practical railway inspection. The system is based on an original laser-sectioning method and characterized by high accuracy with wide view and in-motion operation. It was confirmed that a static calibration was performed at an accuracy of within 5 mm. Furthermore, a theoretical estimation predicted that dynamic errors can be eliminated within a resolution of 4 mm by means of rail movement detection. In field tests on the Chuo Line, facilities were successfully inspected at speeds up to 40km/h.