In the age of digital car shopping, buyers want a more immersive experience than just a traditional image. That’s why car makers and dealerships are turning to 360-car view technology to help potential shoppers see every angle of their vehicles from the comfort of their sofas.

This technology takes images from several cameras and then stitches them together to create a virtual birds-eye view of the vehicle, which is useful for parking in tight spaces or squeezing into a garage. Some systems even detect moving objects and warn drivers if they’re getting too close to obstacles. The most advanced systems also feature audible and haptic warnings to alert drivers of impending collisions, as well as to warn them of obstacles they might not be aware of.

View vehicles are available on a number of models from manufacturers including Nissan, Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet. Some are even offered as options on a few luxury vehicles from Infiniti and BMW. Some offer multiple views such as front and rear only, or side and rear with ground view added. Nissan and its luxury Infiniti division were among the first to offer this technology, which they call “Around View Monitor.” They’ve been offering it on a wide range of their vehicles since 2007, from the subcompact Versa Note to the compact Rogue SUV.

Using a special camera, the system can capture all the surrounding scenery from four different angles. The images are then displayed on a display in the dashboard or infotainment center. The Nissan system, which was introduced in 2007 as the Infiniti EX35, has four cameras; two are located on the flanks of the rearview mirrors and two are mounted underneath each of the side-view mirrors. The images from all four cameras are warped to provide a birds-eye view of the car and then stitched together.

The system can be activated via a touch-screen icon when the vehicle is in reverse or the transmission is shifted to park. The driver can also select a front wide view or rear wide view when the vehicle is in forward motion.

Aside from being a useful safety feature, the surround-view camera is a good way to avoid costly damage caused by unseen obstacles. The technology can save you the cost of a crumpled fender or bumper, scraped alloy wheels, and a hefty insurance deductible. Even with the best of high-tech safety features, good visibility remains an important component of safe driving. This is why many safety-minded customers consider vehicles with this type of camera when they shop for a new vehicle.