Windshield of the Future
Today, 12.4 percent of the population is 65 or older; by 2030 the U.S. Census Bureau predicts this number will rise to 20 percent which comes to somewhere around 71.5 million people. Up-and-coming technologies from GM allow us to evade the harrowing fate shown in this South Park episode. We don’t need to take all of these fine peoples’ licenses away when GM has a high-tech windshield in the works that will literally enhance objects that would normally go unnoticed by the aged eye.
When GM took the aging population into consideration when upgrading windshield tech, the phrase “We need some more laser beams” was heard echoing the R&D floor in a Scottish tone.
The auto researchers at General Motors Corporation are combining lasers, infrared sensors and a camera to take the road beyond the windshield and enhance certain objects, obstacles and so on. Instead of throwing a barrage of confusing information onto the windshield “screen,” the new windshield will simply enhance certain objects on the road.
Many cool features are being thrown out there. A blue line will project along the side of the road so the driver has a solid view of where the road turns into terrain, a box will frame approaching speed limit signs if the driver is speeding and with GPS technology, on screen indicators can literally point to the driver’s destination building. These are just a few effects that are expected.
There are existing technologies today that resemble this concept. Some automakers use a camera that transmits an enhanced view of what is in front of the car and display it on the dashboard. There are even displays that, like this new technology from GM, display their feeds on the windshield; these feeds are basic and only show things such as speed, remaining fuel or the current radio station.
Since this new windshield is so complex, a lot more must go into it than a few lasers and cameras. The position of the car in relation of the road must be taken into account by sensors and the driver’s head position needs to be constantly measured so the images on the windshield aren’t distorted; people aren’t constantly sitting still after all.
Automakers remain hopeful that this advanced technology will come soon. Though 2010 may be too hopeful.
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