Head-up displays and high-tech features for cars of the future – wait until you see it
When it comes to automotive technology devices in the modern automobile, it is surprising what companies, researchers, and prototyping specialists offer. Much of this technology is borrowed from the military as inherited or transfer technology. After the military has had it for a decade or more, they eventually allow it into the public domain. We see a lot of this and will see more when it comes to autonomous cars. Cars that park themselves, stop themselves, drive themselves, and can take control in heavy fog or prevent emergencies and accidents.
Another interesting security device would be HUD or Heads-Up Displays. This is where you can see everything in the window or windshield in front of you instead of on the dash. All the information you need is projected, so you never have to look down. This would be especially good for people who use their radios while driving, looking at their GPS, speedometer, or other things. Still, it’s somewhat of a distraction, but it’s much safer than looking down away from the road and looking up again to refocus on what’s going on outside the vehicle.
If you’re traveling 60 to 80 mph, you’ll usually cover quite a bit of road if you look down for a few seconds and then look up again. A lot can happen at those speeds, and let’s not even talk about those who really go fast when they shouldn’t. You can obviously see the value of racing, and this could also prevent people from becoming accident-prone, distracted drivers. Should the new HUD systems be installed in our modern cars for the public?
The Wall Street Journal published an interesting article on January 26, 2013 titled; “Automakers Take a Serious Look at Front Display Screens” by Chester Dawson. Well, this technology is over 3 decades old, you know, about time. I wonder if the so-called distraction will cause accidents, since many humans are not that smart, and what about older people? Will it be confusing for them and their aging eyesight? It takes time to adjust the focus from near to far for the elderly.
Yes, that has a very good point, doesn’t it? What about the elderly who have vision problems? If they have trouble seeing up close, it may take a while for them to focus on what’s on the windshield, or vice versa if they have the other problem. Yes, it’s probably best for them to look inside the vehicle and totally take their eyes off what’s in front of them, but this could be more than their brains can process in the amount of time they need while traveling at higher rates of speed, like on the highway.
In fact, I hope we can figure this out and keep these cars safe for all ages using the HUD system because I think it is safer overall. Consider all of this and think about it.