Jaguar showcases ‘virtual windscreen’ tech
Video game fanatics will probably love this one. Jaguar has revealed that a ‘virtual windscreen concept’ is currently under development which will mimic the screen on your PS3 while playing Gran Turismo 6. The virtual windscreen projects important information directly on to the windshield so that the driver won’t have to look away from the road.
For everyday driving, the virtual windscreen displays various icons like hazardous conditions, navigation, current gear, a digital tachometer and speedometer. On the track, the innovative technology displays the racing line and braking points, a ghost car of your own lap or other people’s saved laps, and virtual cones for driver training.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology for Jaguar Land Rover said, “By presenting the highest quality imagery possible, a driver need only look at a display once. Showing virtual images that allow the driver to accurately judge speed and distance will enable better decision-making and offer real benefits for every-day driving on the road, or the track.”
We had previous mentioned that JLR is developing gesture control so that drivers would not need to search for switches while driving. The gesture control will register movement from up to 15cm away compared to the 5mm distance registered by most smartphones. The set-up uses ‘E-Field Sensing’, based on a capacitive discharge touchscreen, it tracks a user’s hand and any gestures it makes inside the car, so watch your hands.
Dr. Epple also mentioned, “The system is currently being tested on a number of features including sunblinds, rear wipers and satellite navigation maps. It has the potential to be on sale within the next few years.”
The JLR research team is also looking at replacing external and internal rear view mirrors with cameras and virtual displays. Their solution is to integrate a 3-D instrument cluster, which uses head- and eye-tracking technology to create a 3-D image on the instrument panel.
For more futuristic technology that the British marque is developing, click here.
