Compact holographic projection displays info through a two-way wing mirror for drivers
Posted 10.16.2009 at 3:50 pm
9 Comments
Car HUD
They don't make car mirrors like they used to
Light Blue Optics
Soon the Dark Knight and other wealthy folk may not represent the only people tearing around with a holographic heads-up display (HUD) for their rides. A new prototype unveiled today is small enough to fit inside a rear-view or wing mirror and display car speed or distance between vehicles in real time.
This holographic projection device has a far smaller size than current car HUD systems, which require large liquid-crystal arrays and optics. By contrast, the device developed by Light Blue Optics uses constructive and destructive interference of light to compose its holographic images.
Holo Navigation: Light Blue Optics
The company designed its prototype to project an image through a two-way mirror, so that information appears superimposed over the reflected road view. The device went on display at the Society for Information Display's Vehicles and Photons 2009 symposium held in Dearborn, Michigan.
Such a device could improve driving safety by allowing drivers to get critical information without having to look away from the road. Light Blue Optics also says that their technology works just as well on forward displays, such as a car windshield. Just don't expect to drive cars with the devices for at least several more years.
[via Technology Review]
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the availability of this technology is closer than it may appear. ;)
I'm not sure that this won't be as much of a distraction as an aid. Not to mention that your outside mirrors are often overwhelmed by headlights or sunlight.
I also don't want to have $1000 mirrors -- and do they survive the car wash?
talk about revolutionary
why not just replace mirrors with cameras?
side view mirrors are a aerodynamics hazard
put the holography on the screen and put the screen in side the car as near to the outside as possible without exiting the car.
Or they could replace physical side view mirrors with holographic projects of one... ones which contained holographic images simulating what a real mirror would have shown.
@extremechiton
Awesome idea! I like where you're heading with that. Seems much more practicle!
wow that is cool. makes everything alot safer. sign me up. if only they came on something cheaper than a several hundred thousand dollar car.
extremechiton,
Good idea. It would also let you eliminate the blind spot and see behind your bumper. Maybe a 160° or even 360° panoramic view could be superimposed on the windshield where the rearview mirror is normally located? I would also like my GPS driving directions displayed in front of me so I don't have to look away from the road at the same time it's asking me to abrubtly cross 3 lanes to make an exit.
Oh yes! This is so cool and practical for cars, motorbikes and even push bikes. Does it talk? I am also very interested in if they would be retrofitted into older models and if so is the manufacturing costs excessive?
Rob
www.ellinghamglass.co.uk