A stereo-image recognition unit detects a pedestrian from a solid body
acquired from the image by a stereo camera and issues various warnings by
outputting signals to an LED and a speaker according to the position of
the pedestrian, the vehicle speed, and a signal from a turn signal
switch. The unit determines whether the solid body approaches a
predetermined region in the image, with one end of the solid body in the
width direction being detected and the other end not being detected, and
detects the width of the solid body when the other end is detected. The
unit then determines whether the solid body is a pedestrian by comparing
the width with a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, the unit can
rapidly and reliably detect a pedestrian who approaches the vehicle
traveling route and inform a driver of it and reduce an operation load
necessary for detecting a pedestrian.