Name that pic: Ford Back Up Camera

What is this? Do you know? 

This is the back up camera on a 2012 Ford F150 Platinum.

What purpose does it serve? 

To aid you while moving in reverse, the available Rear View Camera uses a camera mounted in the tailgate to produce a large and bright real-time visual display in the interior rear view mirror.  In vehicles equipped with the available Navigation System, the visual is displayed on the Navigation System's screen {if not, it will be displayed on the rear view mirror}.