At the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017, application of Augmented Reality or AR in head-up display for cars has been the most talked-about innovation
Many of the Automotive Heads-up Display (HUD) solutions showcased by global OEMs and suppliers were production ready. This stood out as testimony of the fact that AR–based car HUD is now a mature technology.
This article is an attempt to decode Augmented Reality and Heads-up Display solution and give you a sneak-peak of the latest in CAR HUD tech!
What is Car Head-up Display or Heads-up Display or HUD system?
The automotive HUD system is a multimedia solution that minimizes driver distraction by displaying contextual information regarding the surroundings, vehicles and pedestrians.
So what role does augmented reality (AR) play in a Car Head-up Display solution?
AR isn’t just cool for gaming and home furniture shopping. Through the heads-up display interface or HMI, AR adds noticeable safety features and convenience to the driving experience.
In fact it adds so much value that Paul Russo, the founder of a processor development company says,
“Once you’ve driven a car with an HUD, you can never go back. It reminds me of when we were developing remote controls. People would ask, ‘Why do you want this when you can just go and stand up and change the channel?’”
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
Augmented reality is combination of technology and the real world, to give you the best of both.
Augmented reality means when the user’s view of the real world is enhanced with computer-generated images, to enhance your understanding or view of the environment.
Application of Augmented Reality (AR) in Automotive Heads-up Display (HUD) solution:
The interface of the HUD system displays information such as speed, fuel gauge, engine status, and more, by fetching the data from vehicle ECUs (electronic control units) and in-vehicle networks (CAN, LIN, FlexRay, etc.).
Then, the Car HUD system augments the real world by displaying real-time route navigation, road signs and other contextual information or alerts through installed sensors, cameras , digital maps and WiFi/GPS.
To help you understand AR-based HUD solutions better, here is the list of augmented reality based end-user applications.
1. Lane departure detection and alerts
When cruising on a long stretch, it’s easy for the driver to get comfortable and be less attentive.
AR-HUD solution supports a critical feature to address this issue—lane departure detection and alerts.
So even if the driver is gradually, but not very noticeably, veering to one side, the AR-enhanced HMI will display a simulation of the lane and alert the driver.
2. Vehicle proximity detection (or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) of Continental HUD )
Using sensors and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, your car can now read the distance between itself and other vehicles.
AR-HUD system displays this information on your windshield, with symbolic and color-coded alerts and simulations that warn of too much proximity and keep you at a safe following distance.
3. Blind spot detection and 3600 view
The Car HUD system fetches data from the integrated cameras. These cameras capture the view from different sides of the car, and also track the driver’s movements and line of sight.
This ensures that information displayed on the HMI of AR-HUD solution is adjusted to the driver’s field of vision, thus aiding blind-spot detection.
The cameras, in some models, are also able to project a 3600aerial view of the vehicle.
4. Pedestrian detection and alerts
Using vehicle-to-people communication, the AR-enhanced car HUD solution alerts the driver of nearby pedestrians and objects that come in the collision path of the vehicle.
The sensor and camera-based simulations and early warnings usually give the driver sufficient time to react and facilitate a less anxious driving experience.
5. Route navigation alerts and road sign simulations
When you’re on the road, stuck amidst traffic or zipping on the freeway, smart navigation can make you a better driver and ensure an enjoyable driving experience.
This means no need for sudden turns or the realization that your exit is actually too close for you to shift lanes towards it. That is where augmented reality gives early alerts regarding upcoming turns and lane changes, guiding you to the appropriate lane for your route.
Technology challenges of a Car Head-up Display development project:
Automotive Heads-up Display development project is technology and R&D intensive—it requires sophisticated skills in embedded hardware/software, infotainment technology, image processing algorithms and expertise in sensors and camera related modules.
With thus a Car Head-up Display solution development project requires talent with specialized skill-sets and automotive domain experience.
While undertaking a Car HUD development project, one may come across following pain-points:
- Investments in R&D and technology
- Increased time-to-market and losing out on competitive advantage
At Embitel Technologies, our consistent R&D and development efforts have helped us design a production-ready Car HUD solution
Our automotive developers have leveraged their experience in automotive infotainment systems and cloud-mobility engineering to design this state-of-the-art heads-up display system.
With a reference design of Car HUD system, time for developing advanced features and customization is reduced considerably (down to 6 months from an average of 2.5 years). Needless to say, this means reduced development cost too.
This is a guest blog contributed by the Bangalore based Automotive Heads-up Display (HUD) development team of Embitel Technologies. Embitel Technologies is a product engineering services company with expertise in Automotive, Smart Home and Industrial Automation domains. They provide services and solutions for Car HUD, Infotainment, Telematics, IoT, Mobility, Automotive Control Units, Diagnostics Stacks and AUTOSAR
