TECHNOLOGYSince 2013 I have been working on Leap Motion and Oculus Rift to create a gesture based Operating system in Unity. Sadly, this project never came to fruition as Leap Motion backed out. However the Hololens is a game changer. Its proof we can overlay a virtual 3D space into our own reality and space and package it into a product. I just want to package this with a windshield.
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EXPERIENCEI think the goal isn't to replace driving with self driving cars, but to embrace the image of driving. The Mustang will always be a classic because of what it means to the driver. There are junkyards and pick and pull piled to the sky with Civics and Camerys, but why does a person keep a Foxbody, or a 68 Mustang, or a Chevelle? Probably because of what it means to them. Restoring a classic with their father and driving down the open road as an adult.
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VISIONThis is what I want to deliver: Augmented driving where the user can still feel like they are in command of their car and yet safely see all the hazards, the boundaries of the road, the lane, other vehicles, ect. Even using self driving technology to intervene from hazards and accidents that the driver may not be aware of.
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IMPLEMENTATIONIt is inexpensive to make windshields have a coating that prevents double images. The cost of the projection is real issue and most projectors using laser projection bright enough can produce 12000 lumens with an LED under 1k per unit and it can be made small enough to do a short throw projection from the dash or the mirror over the whole windshield.
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DASHBOARD PROJECTIONIts not enough to project on a special lens. I have already began testing out projectors from Alibaba that have short throw capabilities that can scan a surface and project in a way that is not stretched and skewed to the driver.
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EXECUTIONEngineers can develop the technology but you really need an artist to make this technology look seamless. You can not have a clutter or distractions on the road. This technology needs to be minimalist and elegant.
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BMW'S LATEST ATTEMPTThis shows promise but far from my expectations from an intelligent UI in a vehicle. The cluster is too tight and clutters the road ahead. It doesn't' follow the contours of the road. There seems to be parallax issues with the actual lane.
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VISUAL EXPERIENCEInstead, we should look to make the visual to not be intrusive and only slightly augment the reality. However on a dark rainy low visibility night, we should be able to drive. In fact we should be able to drive if someone threw a black cloth on our windshield
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