Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) has developed the world’s first* three-dimensional augmented reality head-up display (3D AR HUD) that meets the growing global need to assist safe driving. It is designed to present 3D information (images) on the windshield to assist the driver.
The automotive HUD technology displays information directly in the driver’s field of view ahead on the windshield. Conventionally, car navigation systems and instrument clusters are used to provide information to the driver. HUDs have been developed to enable drivers to obtain information while looking ahead, thereby increasing driving safety.
In the conventional HUD technology, changes in the driver’s eye point result in misalignment of the information presented on the road ahead. The 3D AR HUD can present information at different apparent distances depending on the driving speed (e.g. 40 m ahead when driving at 40 km/h in urban areas, 80 m ahead when driving at 80 km/h on highways). This helps the driver recognise information with minimal focus adjustment and eye point movement, thereby assisting safe driving.
The technology can display 3D information, and the AR feature makes it possible to present information on objects (e.g. pedestrians, obstacles) identified by sensors. The positions of such objects are presented visually to alert the driver in advance, giving him/her additional time to make judgements and manoeuvre the vehicle. Such information is presented accurately regardless of the driver’s eye point. Thus, the 3D AR HUD is expected to reduce the accident rate and make driving safer.
Background of the development of the 3D AR HUD
In April 2016, Konica Minolta started joint research with the Ishikawa Watanabe Laboratory of the University of Tokyo to develop a technology for quickly projecting a 3D virtual image. The 3D AR HUD is one of the research outputs. Konica Minolta will accelerate its efforts to develop unconventional information presentation systems by continuously integrating its optical and sensing technologies with the high-speed image processing, image projection, and variable focus technologies developed by the Ishikawa Watanabe Laboratory. Eventually, Konica Minolta will develop a comprehensive safe driving assistance system that can quickly recognise and process information obtained by multiple sensors and notify the driver of hazards properly and promptly.
Konica Minolta will continue to utilise its technologies to meet the challenges and needs of society and offer solutions for assisting safe driving of vehicles and other means of transport.
*First technology to present information on the windshield in various positions for better recognition by the driver, depending on the distance from objects and the driving speed (research by Konica Minolta)