Skip to main content

New augmented reality system shows 3D GPS navigation through your windshield

Virtual Cable
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A new type augmented reality system, which just won the top prize at the European Satellite Navigation Competition in Munich, Germany, promises to turn the entire world into a giant GPS navigation display.

Created by a company called Making Virtual Solid (MVS – California), the breakthrough heads-up display (HUD) system projects images from your car’s GPS onto the windshield to create an augmented reality navigation system that can be used by anyone easily. Rather than appearing like a flat map projected on the windshield, MVS’ technology displays a single “Virtual Cable,” which is made to appear like a physical line in the sky, outside the car, that shows the path to your chosen destination. 

The system is designed to be less distracting than current GPS systems, which require drivers to look away from the road to get an accurate picture of where they are supposed to go. MVS created the Virtual Cable so that anyone could use the system without any training; simply get in the car and go. And the Virtual Cable will work well in either bright sunlight or at night.

There are a number of differences between the Virtual Cable and the other HUD systems that are currently being developed. The first is a matter of design and simplicity. While other HUD navigation systems show a barrage of icons and virtual sigs and other distracting nonsense on the screen, the Virtual Cable is simple and designed specifically to be non-distracting. The Virtual Cable system will also work with any pre-installed or external GPS navigation system. Lastly, MVS has created its system to be as cost-effective as possible, meaning there’s a chance the Virtual Cable might actually make it into a car you drive, rather than just being a really expensive good idea. 

Watch a video of how Virtual Cable works below:

[via PhysOrg]

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more
Audi Q6 e-tron ushers in the automaker’s next EV phase
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front three quarter view.

Audi doesn’t get enough credit for getting luxury car buyers comfortable with EVs. While Tesla took care of the image-conscious types, the German brand unveiled its e-tron electric SUV in 2018 with the tagline “electric has gone Audi” in hopes of getting loyal customers excited about (or, at least, acclimated to) electric cars by pitching the e-tron as an Audi first and an EV second.

The e-tron wasn’t a one-off, either. It’s since evolved into the Q8 e-tron and has been joined by the sporty e-tron GT and entry-level Q4 e-tron. So, while some car brands are only just introducing their first electric models, Audi is ready for round two.

Read more