Augmented
reality is coming to cars, but for more than just playing games.
The idea is to use a small projection system that can be installed in almost any car model. Data from the system is then
projected onto the windshield for the driver to see.
The AR technology is from WayRay, which just received $80 million to further the system.
Automakers clearly have an interest in the
approach. The investment was led by Porsche along with Hyundai Motor, Alibaba Group and China Merchants Capital. Since its founding in 2012, the Swiss startup has raised more than $100 million and
expects to be valued at $1 billion by the end of next year.
WayRay’s AR has a very wide field of view, allowing for the display of more virtual objects at a comfortable distance for a
driver’s eyes in a system that can be customized for drivers or passengers, conventional vehicles and self-driving cars, according to the company.
Earlier this year, the AR startup
launched a pilot project in Startup Autobahn, Europe’s largest innovation platform.
Screens and projections in cars are rapidly evolving. For example, the BMW concept car of the future
as well as other models already announced will replace side mirror with cameras, providing a wider and higher-quality view of things beside and behind the car, in screens inside the car.
AR
projection devices like those being developed by WayRay will project other information to the windshield.
In addition to seeing the road ahead, AR windshield projection can let drivers also
see speed, route, trip details, distances to other cars, object recognition, highlighting of pedestrians and other select features designed to make driving safer.
Those pop-down screens for
watching movies in the back seat are being made to look like old, outdated tech from a distant past.