Introduction to the Future of In-Car Displays
Concept cars have long been a way for vehicle makers to showcase their most cutting-edge technologies and explore what the long run of driving might appear like. Over the years, automakers have explored the usage of augmented reality (AR) to reinforce the driving experience, superimposing windshields with additional images and knowledge, for instance. This technology is revolutionizing the best way we interact with our vehicles and is paving the best way for a more immersive and interactive driving experience.
The Latest Innovations from BMW and Audi
A brand new example of this innovation is the concept automobile showcased by BMW on the 2023 CES tech show, which highlighted the various ways AR may be used to take the driving experience to the following level. From displaying basic information needed to drive like in existing head-up displays, the BMW iVision DEE progresses through five different degrees of mixed reality, the last of which the corporate depicts as a totally immersive virtual reality (VR) driving experience. Another German carmaker, Audi, has taken a special approach to in-car AR, which is enabled by a headset that’s worn while driving. The Audi Activesphere concept automobile brings AR contained in the vehicle, with headset users in a position to see control panels and other virtual displays that remain hidden to the unaided observer.
In-Car AR Today
While BMW and Audi’s concept vehicles look to an all-electric future wherein auto-drive is only a button push away, incremental improvements to AR technology present a more attainable vision of augmented driving today. For example, Mercedes has integrated AR into the Ask Mercedes app, which identifies dashboard features and their functions when users view them through their smartphones. Meanwhile, firms just like the Swiss startup WayRay and U.K. holographic startup Envisics are developing the following generation of holographic head-up displays that massively extend the dimensions and quality of what may be safely projected on a automobile’s windshield.
The Future of Holographic Displays
Between the 2 of them, Europe’s pioneering in-car holography specialists have raised over $150 million in enterprise capital funding and count the likes of Porsche, Hyundai, and General Motors amongst their investors. With the backing of several major auto manufacturers, Envisics announced plans for a significant global expansion last 12 months, citing rising demand for AR head-up display units. Commenting on the expansion of the corporate, Envisics founder and CEO Dr. Jamieson Christmas said the corporate is “extremely encouraged by the growing interest in AR [head-up displays] from the automakers in parallel with our own technological advances. Although many view holographic technology as something they remember from ‘Star Wars’ movies, we’re on the edge of widespread deployment across the industry.”
Conclusion
The potential for AR to reinforce the best way people drive has barely been tapped, and use cases have only scratched the surface. With over-the-air software updates now in a position to upgrade thousands and thousands of vehicles robotically, AR presents yet another opportunity for auto brands to innovate constantly and push the technology forward. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it is going to be exciting to see how AR technology is integrated into our day by day driving experiences. With the innovations from BMW, Audi, and other firms, the long run of in-car displays is looking brighter than ever.
