At their core, automobiles are designed to get us from Point A to Point B. As technology has advanced and consumer expectations have evolved, our cars have become intricate machines with complex technological systems, designed for not only safety, but ultimate comfort and enriched experiences.
One of the drivers behind these enriched experiences is the development of head-up display (HUD) systems. Offering clarity, high-brightness, wide field of view and the flexibility to increase virtual image distance – all in a driver’s natural line of sight, from 2 to 20 meters ahead – TI DLP® technology is at the forefront of the next-generation HUD systems. And the industry is taking notice.
Recently, DLP Automotive experts were invited by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) to present at their annual conference in Washington, D.C., which attracts nearly 12,000 transportation professionals from around the world. This year’s theme was “Corridors to the Future: Transportation and Technology.” TI was the only “component” company invited to present at this workshop.
Understandably, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking a keen interest in the future of HUDs, specifically around the impact that wide field-of-view (FOV) and augmented reality HUDs will have on driver distraction. Automotive-focused innovations often fall under government scrutiny due to public health and safety. These agencies often rely on guidance from outside groups like the TRB to determine what guidance they should issue.
During the TRB conference, TI focused on the next generation of HUD development. Motivated by the pursuit of a safer flow of information, we started the conversation on how HUDs could be used to safely relay information from car to driver, making the argument for increased FOV and virtual image display (VID). With any new influx of enhanced technology, there are of course challenges that arise and we touched on these as well; the way image quality can suffer with high magnification, sun spot intensities and how wider FOV creates an image that may need to be warped or corrected.
The TRB meeting was an exhilarating glimpse into the development and evolution of HUD systems and the discussion on how best to coordinate seamless communication between human drivers and the increasingly “smarter” cars that ferry them around. Here are three top takeaways to ponder as the industry moves forward:
1. Automotive Is Ready for a Tech Tune-Up
The automotive industry is feverishly looking to improve communication between drivers and vehicles, both on the input side (how the driver speaks to the vehicle and relays tasks) and on the output side (how the vehicle communicates with the driver.) The amount of information available is rapidly increasing and a HUD system with augmented reality elements will be the primary display to assist drivers in managing the high-flow of information, information such as navigational indicators, real-time landmark details and safety warnings, in the safest manner possible.
2. TI DLP Technology is Changing Lanes
As mentioned earlier, many automotive innovations fall under government control and regulation, simply to regulate standards and safety measures. And with the introduction of new technology, especially a development that displays virtual images inside a moving automobile, an even keener eye will be focused on the industry. TI is working closely with government regulatory agencies (federal and state-level DOTs) to be an early positive influence.
3. Inside Influence is Paving the Way
Research institutes across the world are conducting research into HUD technology, with organizations like the NHTSA hungry for study findings. And in order to influence opinion and maintain our status as the thought-leader for HUD development, TI is getting plugged into the research institutions that are doing these studies. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and TRB are just a couple of these institutions.
Beyond mobile and cinema projectors, DLP technology is on the fast-track to completely revolutionize the auto industry. HUD is poised to become a primary display in automobiles, as common as a radio and steering wheel. The opportunity we have to influence and guide the industry is a testament to our innovative culture and the quality of people we have in all aspects of our business, from engineering to government relations.
To learn more about how TI drives Innovation, check out these other Automotive Innovation blog posts:
- Driving Innovation: In the right lane to making the drive safer, greener and more fun
- Eyes in the back of your head: Automotive radar goes mainstream
- “Driving” subsystem interconnect with voltage level translators
- Battery management for questionable batteries
- BMW’s all-new 2-Series Convertible drops the top, TI provides the headroom