20/06/2008 01:31. The new Insignia will be the first production car to feature a dual-function frontal camera with traffic sign recognition, says Opel Vauxhall.

The system, supplied by Hella, uses a single screen-mounted camera to feed separate processors for both road-sign recognition and lane-departure warning.

However, premium automaker BMW may just beat Opel to the honor of being first to market with a system that can identify signs.

BMW will debut its system "later this year," said technology spokeswoman Katharina Bölsterl.

She declined to specify which model the system would first appear on, and would not confirm that, as industry sources say, the supplier will also be Hella.

Opel's camera system will be available on Insignias from spring 2009, said spokesman Simon Hucknall.

The... // Automotive News