Augmented Reality in Car Windshields Continues to Raise Concerns
Research about driver distraction as a result of Augmented Reality in windshields compiled by the New York Times earlier in 2015 has been fueling a public debate about the benefits of using the technology to present information. The technology package, which has been introduced in the latest models of Lexus, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes and Audi, among others, is proposed to make driving safer by reducing drivers’ need to look down for information. One of the use cases is the appearance of red arrows on the road when the driver departs from their designated lane. Algorithms that include motion detection and infrared vision could also alert drivers to roadside hazards. Jaguar’s heads-up display technology, for example, notifies the driver if a nearby pedestrian could be at risk of being hit.
In the latest feature story on the topic to be published by the media giant, the author points out that despite concerns expressed by opponents of the technology, safety trade organizations and the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which could publish guidelines in the future, are only beginning to research the issues.
While these groups and agencies are exploring the possibility of performing studies, Continental AG, which supplies head-up display components for automakers including BMW, Renault and Mercedes, has been conducting extensive research on driver distraction and designing interfaces to optimize benefits while reducing risk. According to spokespeople interviewed for the article, the technology will be included in 2017 models but not widely promoted as a competitive advantage.