IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS

The combination processing unit performs combination processing on the basis of a plurality of first representative distance values corresponding to a plurality of pixel columns belonging to the firstimage region, a plurality of second representative distance values corresponding to a plurality of pixel columns belonging to the second image region, and a distance value from each pixel in the image. The processing determination is performed on the pixel distance value of each pixel between the first and second image regions. The invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of properly setting an image area. The image processing apparatus includes a representative-distance calculator and a joining processor. The representative-distance calculator generates representative distance values of the basis of a distance image generated from a stereo image including an image of at least one object including a vehicle. The distance image includes distance values of pixels. The joining processor performs a jo