In-car navigation systems set to go 3D?
Navigation systems have quickly gone from being an interactive way to direct one from Point A to Point B to massive infotainment centerpieces capable of MP3 player integration, web browsing and wifi. Auto Express is reporting that GPS units could go 3D as soon as next year, because advancements in hardware could make the technology feasible with already available dual image LCD screens (like the one in the 2010 Jaguar XJ).
If you're thinking that you're going to have to wear those goofy paper 3D glasses to find the nearest McDonalds, that's not the case. Faster processors and increased memory will enable the LCD to oscillate between two images fast enough to give the illusion of depth. The incorporation of important landmarks embedded within the 3D image ought to go leaps and bounds towards finding your destination easier.
In the near term, it's likely that the functionality will first be available in aftermarket systems, with OEM models becoming available after the tech becomes a bit more mainstream. Actually, Clarion has been selling a 3D nav system in the UK for over a year and Sony and Panasonic have had the tech available in Japan, so it's more a matter of when, not if, the tech will be available in North America.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zamafir 4:36PM (7/09/2009)
"Actually, Clarion has been selling a 3D nav system in the UK for over a year and Sony and Panasonic have had the tech available in Japan, so it's more a matter of when, not if, the tech will be available in North America."
You guys drive cars right? and review them? for us? So you should have driven cars which have been on the road for a while now yes? *checks* yes you guys HAVE driven the Q5... so you do know it already has 3D nav, that most of it's hard drive is set aside for said 3D nav and that it's one of only a few nav systems in the world to have a dedicated NVidia graphics chip. What gives. The Tech has been available in NA, for quite some time.
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Rich 4:42PM (7/09/2009)
Shunk reporting.
Tyler 4:37PM (7/09/2009)
That looks pretty cool. I hope they find a way to make the buildings have color, windows, tile, ect. instead of being gray blocks.
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Benoit Cerrina 4:42PM (7/09/2009)
There seems to be a huge confusion from the writer between
1) navigators which display in 3d (with the images appearing to be in real 3d like when you wear glasses at the movie but without the glasses), several lcd displays enabling this for PCs have made the round of tech shows. This is what the original article is about
2) navigator which render buildings in 3d on a regular 2d screen like in many videogames. This second thing has been available for a while now.
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AndrewNoNumbers 5:07PM (7/09/2009)
Yes you beat me to it. The Clarion and Sony/Panny units linked use 3D as in Google Earth style 3D buildings while the new technology would do real 3D as in IMAX movies without the glasses.
Michael 4:58PM (7/09/2009)
None of this matters unless the car makers decide to stop raping people over the price of upgrading the maps in these built in units. The maps in HD based units should be able to be user upgradable via a cd/dvd with the data on it or a compact flash card. I'm never buying another car with a built in nav system unless the maps can be upgraded for free by myself.
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LMBVette 9:48AM (7/10/2009)
Exactly! The DVD for my Vette is $300. Why would I pay that when my new Palm Pre ($200) has Navigation and Bluetooth built in?
Whatever my next vehicle is...it will not have Navigation unless it just comes with it standard.
Ancharr 5:06PM (7/09/2009)
To echo other comments so far - this is hardly news.
The REAL innovation in 3D (or any) navigation is going to be systems that project route onto the windshield, ala HUD in planes. Most conventional nav systems are being replaced by phones anyway so...
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alex 5:36PM (7/09/2009)
How do you guys not understand this concept?!?! It's not about a simple 3-d rendering being displayed on a 2-d screen. It's about the screen rapidly cycling through multiple images to trick your eyes into thinking that the objects are actually protruding from the screen! it won't look like it's on the screen, it will look like it's growing right out of the screen
zamafir 5:56PM (7/09/2009)
"How do you guys not understand this concept?!?! "
I don't think anyone who's read Shunk's synopsis and looked at the graphic he included would get 'this concept' as he doesn't even touch on it. instead we have to click the link to learn the blogger completely misunderstood the topic he's posting on.
Greg 5:14PM (7/09/2009)
BMW factory navigation in the 2009 3 series, 1 series and 2010 7 series incorporate this capability. The cities where it is available is limited but growing (largest populations first). It may be awhile before Mule's Ass Idaho has the "sac n suds" in 3D.
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jmc8387 5:16PM (7/09/2009)
About time! Japan has had 3D navigation units since the 90's. It's crazy how long it takes us to catch up with the technology in other countries.
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Greg 5:42PM (7/09/2009)
I think the physical size and relatively low population density of the US slows down technologies like this. You can test new technology in the relatively small confines of Japan much more efficiently. Cell phone technology evolves there (and in Europe) more quickly also.
clicketyclack 5:20PM (7/09/2009)
I think it's pretty cool but I doubt that smaller cities and towns will be supported. I think the best way to go is to have a camera mounted on your vehicle with road names and directions overlaid. This kind of thing could work on a typical Navi display or in a heads up display on the windshield.
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Toy Yoda 5:39PM (7/09/2009)
Just imagine, soon these systems will be so advance, you can view yourself in 3d realtime!!
The displays will be large enough to cover your windshield and the images will look so real, you can drive just by looking at the display. Imagine that!!
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ofsoundmind 8:06PM (7/09/2009)
Clarion's NP509 add-on navigation processor has 3D roads (so does their EZD580 PND), as well as rendered graphic 3D buildings and landmarks.
http://www.clarion.com/ca/en/products/2009/multimedia/navigation/NP509/ca-en-product-pf_1172413302940.html
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DasBoese 3:36AM (7/10/2009)
I don't want 3D navigation in my car unless the car can fly.
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