Last week, Ford and Scottish company Ceres Holographics unveiled a potential future for head-up displays (HUDs).
HUDs project critical data like speed and navigation onto the windshield, keeping drivers focused on the road.
The industry has long envisioned autonomous cars, turning windshields into dynamic displays. However, fully autonomous driving remains distant.
At a Detroit conference, Ford revealed HUD 2, a bright, expansive display covering the windshield with sections for the driver and passenger. The passenger section, designed for video, remains invisible to the driver.
Andy Travers, CEO of Ceres Holographics, noted the new displays could be interactive, reducing driver distraction by keeping controls in view rather than on traditional center-mounted screens.
He explained, “Automakers find it more cost-effective to integrate functions onto the screen, and programmers are now focusing on systems that don’t distract drivers.”
The display uses a thin film developed with Eastman and Carlex, embedded with holographic elements within laminated glass. This setup allows for clear displays; Travers says it won’t discolour over time. An affordable LED projector built into the dashboard supports the display.
Regulatory bodies have started addressing the risks of touchscreen distractions. Matthew Avery, a director at Euro NCAP, said, “The industry’s shift to touchscreens forces drivers to take their eyes off the road, increasing accident risks.”
A Ford technical expert, Janice Tardiff, mentioned that initial prototypes target the passenger display for entertainment and business. The driver’s display shows essential information such as fuel level, speed, and navigation.
Customer feedback from clinic testing showed excitement for the technology, though some noted the displays could be clearer and larger.
Tardiff confirmed that the technology has been thoroughly tested and approved for future HUD use. Ford plans to enhance colour, brightness, and resolution, as well as optimize display size for various lighting conditions.
HUD technology first appeared in the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass and has evolved since. Other companies, including Hyundai and General Motors, are exploring similar technologies.
According to Envisics, some advanced visual features may be more suitable for vehicles in autonomous Level Four, allowing drivers to use them safely.
Darren Jacobs, a Chrysler/Dodge spokesperson, announced that their upcoming all-electric vehicle would incorporate some of these advanced features.
Ford and Ceres’s technology, ready for production, aims to reduce driver distraction and improve customer satisfaction by enhancing image clarity.
