Skip to main content

Pioneer unveils heads-up, augmented reality display for use in vehicles

PioneerAugmentedRealityCar
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Augmented reality is a rapidly growing trend in the worlds of entertainment and gaming, but is it something you would want in your car?

Developers at Pioneer aim to answer that question and, according to PC World, have unveiled an augmented reality, heads-up display for use in automobiles. The technology makes use of an LCD screen mounted into the dash (where a CD-player or navigation system would usually be), working in conjunction with a small camera mounted near the rear-view mirror. You’ll have to sacrifice your sun-visors, which are replaced by small screens that create the augmented reality effect.

Lasers display across these screens, causing images to appear as if they are “floating” a few meters in front of the vehicle. This effect gives you the feeling that you are seeing graphics outside of your vehicle, even though they are actually being displayed through the screens above. It’s a neat trick, and one that may actually aid in your driving experience.

According to the Youtube video below, you’ll see a wealth of information, all moving and interacting with the road. Augmented reality arrows will help guide you to a destination via GPS, and small “cartoon balloons” will mark important areas in the distance like gas stations, restaurants, and a variety of other locales. The camera will even feed you information regarding stop signs, yield signs, traffic lights, and a number of other important signage.

Although, if you’re not into the “virtual reality” aspect of the system, you can still turn your gaze down to the included LCD-screen, where you’ll see the same information. Although, from a design stand point, it’s probably a lot safer to see objects ahead of you, in real time, rather than having to avert your gaze from the roadway. There is a small amount of “camera delay” on the Youtube video, but the company promises that the real thing is instantaneous.

This system doesn’t come cheap, running at around $3,400 per unit. We are assuming that is just for the equipment and does not include instillation fees. We are also unsure if this setup is applicable on all vehicle types. Although, judging by the fact that it is simply a camera and screens, it is a safe bet that you could mount this on virtually any vehicle. It will be interesting to see how well this unit sells in the near future, and if Pioneer continues to develop augmented reality software for cars.

What do you think? Is this a smart development, or is it something you could – or should – do without?

Editors' Recommendations

Russ Boswell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Russ Boswell is an aspiring video game and technology journalist from Colorado. He's been an avid gamer since he was old…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
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