Jaguar Land Rover is looking to develop augmented reality (AR) head-up display (HUD) technology that could beam real-time safety information in front of the driver and allow passengers to stream 3D movies direct from their seats as part of a shared, autonomous future.
Engineers are working on a powerful new 3D HUD to project safety alerts, such as lane departure, hazard detection, sat nav directions, and to reduce the effect of poor visibility in poor weather or light conditions. Augmented reality would add the perception of depth to the image by mapping the messages directly onto the road ahead.
Studies conducted in Germany show that the use of stereoscopic 3D displays in an automotive setting can improve reaction times on ‘popping-out’ instructions and increase depth judgments while driving.
In future, the innovative technology could be used by passengers to watch 3D movies. Head- and eye-tracking technology would follow the user’s position to ensure they can see 3D pictures without the need for individual screens or shutter glasses worn at the cinema.
In a fully autonomous future, the 3D displays would offer users a personalized experience and allow ridesharers to independently select their own infotainment. Several passengers sharing a journey would be able to enjoy their own choice of media – including journey details, points of interest or movies – and optimized for where they are sat.
The research, undertaken in partnership with the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics (CAPE) at University of Cambridge, is focused on developing an immersive head-up display, which will closely match real-life experience, allowing drivers to react more naturally to hazards and prompts.
Valerian Meijering, human machine interface and head-up display researcher for Jaguar Land Rover, said, “This program is at the forefront of development in the virtual reality space – we’re looking at concepts and components that will set the scene for the connected, shared and autonomous cars of the future. CAPE Partners is a world-leading player strategically positioned in the value chain network. Its engagement provides a unique opportunity to make a greater impact on society and further enhance the business value of our enterprises.”
Prof. Daping Chu, director of CAPE, said, “The next-generation HUD research forms part of the development into Jaguar Land Rover’s ‘Smart Cabin’ vision: applying technologies that combine to create a personalized space inside the vehicle for driver and passengers with enhanced safety, entertainment and convenience features as part of an autonomous, shared future.”
