Augmented Vision: Futuristic Eyewear Shows Drivers the Way Ahead

by Keith Morgan on Friday, April 24th, 2015

“Using see-through technology, the eyewear projects information in the driver’s direct field of view without concealing other traffic.”

 

 

MINI is bringing a completely new meaning to driving glasses.

At the Shanghai Auto show, the BMW sub-brand has offered first sight of its revolutionary eyewear.

“MINI Augmented Vision gives an insight into how intelligent connectivity between a MINI car and eyewear into which relevant content is projected might work in the future,” explained Dr. Jörg Preißinger, project-manager MINI Augmented Vision, BMW Group research and technology.

“Working with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic MINI design that revolutionise the experience both in and outside the vehicle. This prototype with its customised, interactive functions succeeds in fusing augmented reality with the brand’s trademark sense of lifestyle.”

Using see-through technology, the eyewear projects information in the driver’s direct field of view without concealing other traffic.

“We are proud to have helped develop a breakthrough augmented reality interface between eyewear and the automobile,” said Jay Wright, Vice President, Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc. “MINI Augmented Vision offers a compelling example of what’s possible today, and what we can expect in the future.”

The technology will enable drivers to enter destination details outside of the car then transfer the information to the onboard navigation. The navigation will then display from the current location to the vehicle or from the vehicle to the final destination. Direction instructions in the shape of coloured arrows will appear projected on the road ahead at the turns.

Current speed and posted speed limits will be projected into the driver’s field of view above the steering wheel, without obscuring the road ahead.

A small icon shows in the eyewear when a message is received and the SMS/message can then be read out by the “car”.

Now this is an amazing feature: A virtual view through parts of the vehicle (such as A-pillars and doors) makes visible external areas or objects concealed by the car’s body parts!

Contact: keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca