Overview
What occupies our minds
Head-up displays (HUDs) enable drivers to keep the most important information in view without taking their focus off the road. The next generation also integrates augmented reality to display navigation directly within the road environment.
This technology makes driving safer. At the same time, manufacturers of HUDs face a challenge: How does the interface of the AR HUD integrate into the road environment without creating a visual overload? Is it possible to convey a sense of security in complex traffic situations?
In the automotive market, there are already numerous approaches and integrations of AR into HUDs. Through collaboration with our customers, we gained direct insights into this field and have developed extensive expertise through our projects.
A head-up display in use
Our thoughts on this
For display systems in vehicles, a careful balance of functionality, comfort, and above all, safety is crucial. We have summarized the four most important points below:
In road traffic, a display should support the driver. It is important that the situation is immediately and intuitively understood.
Seamless integration of the AR HUD interface within the vehicle's interior is necessary. Factors such as the shape of the windshield, the position of the display, and the driver's line of sight must be taken into account. It's important that the appearance is harmonious, to avoid distracting the driver.
While driving, situations constantly change. For the person behind the wheel it's essential to be able to focus on the road without distraction.
Information density and hierarchy are commonly used terms in automotive interface design but they are by no means buzzwords. Some situations in traffic are inherently overloaded, which is why the interface must be organized and clearly designed.
A guiding anchor
We chose an arrow as our guiding element because it is already familiar to users of navigation systems. Its clear shape and straightforward message make it versatile and easy to understand — a crucial component for safety on the roads.
Supporting over Patronizing
It was particularly important to us that the arrow should feel like a supportive companion, aiding not only during navigation but also in dangerous situations, prioritizing the safety of the vehicle's occupants.
Guidance in Context
To adapt to different scenarios in road traffic, we precisely defined which guiding elements should be visible during specific maneuvers to provide clear and unambiguous direction to the driver.
When a maneuver needs to be executed at a specific location, an individual road sign is projected at that spot.
A virtual path (referred to as "Carpet" in the industry), generated by the arrow flying ahead, is intended to convey to the driver: You can perform the maneuver within this area—at the time that suits you best.
What we learned
Simplicity wins
We focused on the essentials. An overloaded HUD can overwhelm the driver and distract from the road. Therefore, we limited ourselves to the most important information: speed, navigation cues, and warnings. Fewer visual elements mean less distraction.
Visual integrity
The presentation of AR information on the windshield must seamlessly integrate into the real environment. We found that an overly artificial appearance or a strong contrast between AR elements and the road can compromise visual integrity. Our solution was to employ subtle transparency and coloration to achieve a harmonious blend.
WHy settle
for the ordinary?
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