Patent ID: 8766846

Claim:
A method for preventing a reversing accident where a vehicle that is reversing a low speed collides with a person in the path of travel of the vehicle, the method comprising: sensing an object in the path of travel by means of a sensor arrangement that generates an object recognition signal when the sensor arrangement senses an object satisfying a predetermined condition; wherein the sensor arrangement comprises an IR sensor arrangement and a reflected pulse sensor arrangement that are mounted on the rear end of the vehicle, and sensing an object comprises: passive sensing of IR heat from a mammal with said IR sensor and generating an object recognition signal when it senses an object satisfying the condition that it radiates IR heat corresponding to a mammal, and transmitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation away from the rear end of the vehicle and sensing return pulses returning to the sensor arrangement, and generating an object recognition signal comprises sensing when an object is within a predetermined range of the rear end of the vehicle; sending the object recognition signal to a controller that is operatively coupled to the sensor arrangement; and sending an accident prevention response signal from the controller to a brake applicator on receiving the object recognition signal which then applies the brake of the vehicle whereby to resist movement of the vehicle.