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.

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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.

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Video: GM explains next-generation heads-up display tech

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Videos, GM

GM explains next-generation heads-up display tech - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Recently, we told you about the new heads-up display technology that General Motors is working on. The new concept, developed in the human/machine interface department of GM, is an enhanced vision system that builds upon conventional heads-up technology and displays important information across the entire windshield using cameras and sensors placed around the car.

This new high-tech, forward-thinking system won't come to market for quite a few years (if ever), but this interesting video offers an in-depth look at the technologies that GM is using to better enhance heads-up technology. Hit the jump to see for yourself.

Gallery: GM Next-Generation HUD Concept

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Video: GM explains next-generation heads-up display tech

Video: GM explains next-generation heads-up display tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM gives us sneak peak of next-generation heads-up display technology

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, GM

GM's next-generation HUD concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Currently, automakers use head-up displays to project important vehicle information (speed, navigation directions, etc.) on the windshield, keeping the driver's eyes focused on the road, where they belong. General Motors is hard at work developing its next-generation heads-up technology, and we were given a preview yesterday of what sort of new features to expect in the coming years.

This new concept, developed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon and the University of Southern California, uses an augmented reality system to display head-up information across the entire windshield. Never heard of augmented reality? Sure you have. When you're watching a football game and images appear on the screen to indicate lines on the playing field, that's augmented reality. GM feels that this technology will be a good way to expand upon current heads-up systems without being too distracting for drivers.

GM's new concept uses an array of vehicle sensors and cameras to collect data and project images directly onto the surface of the windshield. For example, if you're driving in dark foggy conditions, this technology can highlight the lines of the road. By pairing these functions with existing night vision technology, the heads-up system can identify and highlight animals or people along the side of the road. It's all about improving safety, not only for the driver and passengers, but for pedestrians, too. What's more, this new tech can work with a car's navigation system to give more precise directions, highlighting actual road signs or buildings to show drivers where they should be going.

Don't expect to see this technology anytime soon, however - there's still quite a bit of work to be done. GM needs to figure out how to piggyback on sensors and cameras already used in automotive applications, as well as how to keep the overall cost down. We imagine there are probably a few legal hurdles to be surmounted as well. That said, we're told that if things go well, we could see a complete version of this system as early as 2016. Still, it's a very forward-thinking concept, and we'll be interested to see how these new functions slowly come to market. Hit the jump to read GM's press release, and click through our gallery below to check out high-res shots of the heads-up display prototype.

Gallery: GM Next-Generation HUD Concept

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM gives us sneak peak of next-generation heads-up display technology

GM gives us sneak peak of next-generation heads-up display technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

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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.

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Achtung! BMW's new Heads-Up Display

Noah Joseph — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Safety, Technology, BMW

Car companies and electronic manufacturers are always conspiring to come up with new high-tech gimmicks for our cars. Almost invariably, they either distract the driver from driving or else help him keep his eyes on the road. Champions of road safety (and cool flashing lights) that we are, of course we prefer the latter. With more cars on the road each passing day - and average driver skill not improving one bit - staying on the road is enough of a challenge without toying with an unintelligible driver interface (iDrive, we're looking at you), being distracted by in-dash DVD players or looking for directions from a sat-nav screen.

That's why we applaud BMW's new HUD. The Bavarians have put all the vital information right there on the windshield so you never have to take your eyes off the road. The HUD projects the speed as well as information from the sat-nav system right ahead of you. BMW's also reportedly working on something called RoadPreview that also projects information regarding upcoming obstacles and big turns, cross-referencing the data with your speed to tell you if you're going too fast to avoid what's up ahead. (Given some of the jerks we've seen behind the wheels of Bimmers, this could only bode well.)

Sounds to us like the engineers in Munich have been listening attentively to The Doors: "Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel". HUDs can be found in other cars currently on the market, like the Chevy Corvette whose HUD also displays key vehicle info, nav directions and even a real-time g-meter.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Achtung! BMW's new Heads-Up Display originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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