Autoblog

Automotive head-up displays to get second wind as safety devices?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:01:00 EST

Having gone from the C5 Corvette to the bygone Lexus HS 250h to the BMW 7 Series, the heads-up display has entered the "Meh..." phase of technology. To return it to the avant-garde, makers of such displays are working on new and larger applications of the technology that can provide new types of safety information without distracting drivers.

The end-all-be-all objective is a windshield-wide display that can project sufficiently bright notifications such as warnings of pedestrians in the way or road shoulder lines in heavy fog. That is many years away, however; a unit that could do that, using modern technology, would take up half the space behind the instrument panel, create an unworkable amount of heat and need to utilize a sub-optimal arrangement of optics for viewing.

But that is what carmakers are said to be looking forward to down the line, and what suppliers like Japan's Nippon Seiki, the world's largest supplier of HUDs, are working on. The final product would provide an augmented reality environment for the driver with large, bright, high-contrast images. While one analyst has said he expects the number of automakers using HUDs to go up from the current nine to 14 by 2016, he believes we're "well over five years" away from beginning to see full-screen displays, and that even then they probably won't make it on cars that cost under $30,000.

Automotive head-up displays to get second wind as safety devices? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kia K9 flagship gets first commercial, trio of interior shots

Zach Bowman — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Videos, Luxury, South Korea

Kia has released the first commercial for the upcoming K9. The flagship sedan is set for a South Korean launch later this year, and details are beginning to emerge about the big four door. Power is said to come from either a 296 horsepower 3.3-liter V6 or a 3.8-liter V6 with 329 hp. The model will also be a showcase for new tech, including adaptive LED headlights that not only track with the steering mechanism but also adjust with the vehicle's speed to give the driver a greater field of view.

Indoors, a full-color heads-up display provides plenty of pertinent information, and an epic 12.3-inch screen in the dash handles the entertainment interface. Judging from the three photos released alongside the new ad, the K9 will also feature a gear lever inspired by the likes of BMW. Here's hoping the Kia piece is a bit more intuitive. Scroll down to check out the ad for yourself.

Continue reading Kia K9 flagship gets first commercial, trio of interior shots

Kia K9 flagship gets first commercial, trio of interior shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi shows off gesture-controlled heads-up display

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: CES, Safety, Technology, Videos, Audi, Luxury, Infotainment

Across the Audi stand from the new A3's interior and updated Audi Connect system was a prototype of the next-next-generation of heads-up display technology.

The display comes in three parts: one in front of the driver, another in front of the passenger and yet another sitting between the two, viewable by both people in the front seats.

While the addition of two more displays is more novel than functional, the way you can pass information between them makes it noteworthy. If the passenger, say, looks up a restaurant on their display, they can push navigation instructions to the center display and on to the driver. It's a slick setup, but likely won't come to market for at least a few more years. Get the full details and a brief demo video below the fold.

Continue reading Audi shows off gesture-controlled heads-up display

Audi shows off gesture-controlled heads-up display originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoglass envisions the windshield of 2020

Chris Shunk — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos

Autoglass windshield of 2020 - Click above to watch the video after the jump

We don't spend much time thinking about our windshields, yet we spend a good portion of our lives looking right through them. But that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of room for improvement. The folks at Autoglass envision a smart windshield that does away with a nav screen on the center stack in favor of all the necessary information being displayed on your auto's most important piece of glass.

Beyond the jump is a video simulation that shows what that windshield might look like from the driver's seat. Among the displayed information is data for navigation, music, speed and fuel. The futuristic, king-of-all-head-up-displays also warns of pedestrians and an arrow even points to potential destinations.

Apparently, the windshield isn't smart enough to know that the vehicle is driving on the wrong side of the road. And if you're hoping the five-speed auto transmission will be dead and gone by 2020, it'll be alive and well, at least according to this demo. Must be a Honda. Hit the jump to watch the windshield of 2020 in (simulated) action.

Continue reading Autoglass envisions the windshield of 2020

Autoglass envisions the windshield of 2020 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Eyes on the Road: Recon Instruments show off heads-up goggles

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Motorcycle

Keeping your eyes on the road is of the utmost importance no matter what kind of vehicle you are piloting. To that end, automakers all over the world have experimented with heads-up displays that show such vital information as your speed and navigation directions right on the windshield in front of the driver.

Now, a company called Recon Instruments is extending similar system to the two-wheeled world with a new technology that flashes the same kind of information right on a pair of goggles. The goggles were originally designed for ski, snowboard and snowmobile applications, but Recon envisions its technology being used in all kinds of sports, from mountain biking and motorcycle touring to kite surfing and scuba diving.

Recon expects to begin shipping its goggles in the Fall of 2010 for between $350 and $450 and is now accepting preorders.

[Source: Recon Instruments via Motorbiker.org]

Eyes on the Road: Recon Instruments show off heads-up goggles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget gets hands on with GlobalTop HD100 GPS HUD

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, Safety

We said we'd keep you posted, and we meant it. Sister site Engadget just had a brief fling with the GlobalTop HUD GPS device at CeBIT. Unfortunately for them, the demo didn't happen in a car, but rather on the show floor. They said the heads-up display was quite visible on the tinted portion of the demonstration screen, but when they moved it to the more windshield-like clear portion to the side, it all but disappeared. In all fairness, it was a prototype, but we join Thomas Ricker in our skepticism when the device is set to drop next month in Europe for about $100.

We talked about this affordable Bluetooth/GPS system a little while ago and liked the sound of it. The device has a lot of promise because it theoretically projects your speed and other vital info onto your windshield so you can focus your eyes on the road instead of the gauge cluster. Heads-Up Displays (HUD) have been around for eons, mostly used in aircraft, and have proven very effective. Being able to have important information in your field of vision is a great step up in terms of safety, but only if it doesn't distract the driver, and more importantly, only if it's visible. Again, we'll keep you posted. But like Engadget said, perhaps it's best to wait for a full review or an in-car demo of your own, before laying out your hard-earned cash on this one.

[Source: Engadget]

Engadget gets hands on with GlobalTop HD100 GPS HUD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

A HUD for all occassions: GlobalTop GPS & Bluetooth HUD Speedmeter

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets

How would you like to have a gadget that sits on your dash and projects your speed and other vital info onto your windshield so you can focus your eyes on the road instead of the gauge cluster? Heads-Up Displays (HUD) have been around for eons, most effectively employed in aircraft, but with some automotive use, as well. But the system has pretty much been limited to high end models or a few GM models like the Corvette and Pontiac Grand Prix. Now a company is about to start offering HUD for the masses, via a little box that uses GPS and Bluetooth to calculate and display speed and speed warnings, as well as navigational directions. GlobalTop Technology, best known for its GPS systems, is introducing a GPS/Bluetooth HUD Speed Meter that will project that info onto your windshield.

No price or release date was reported, but the GlobalTop GPS HUD Speed Meter will be reviewed by the guys at DigitalReviews in April, and hopefully we'll get more info about it then. Sounds like a great idea if the price is low enough and the info is accurate. We'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the tip, Bill!

[Source: DigitalReviews.net via Devicepedia]

A HUD for all occassions: GlobalTop GPS & Bluetooth HUD Speedmeter originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments