- Ford unveils prototype windshield with holographic thin film
- Thin film works in combination with low-cost LED projectors
- The information shown may cover the width of the windshield
Modern head-up displays that project information like speed and navigation directions onto the windshield already help drivers keep their eyes on the road, but automakers are looking for ways to present much more information onto the windshield in a way that is still safe.
One of these automakers is Ford, which appeared Vehicle Displays and Interfaces Symposium and Exhibition which took place in Detroit from September 10 to 11 with a prototype windshield with a transparent film capable of displaying holographic images.
The movie, known as HoloFlektwas developed by Ceres Holographics, a company specializing in holographic thin films for automotive applications. It works in combination with low-cost LED-based projectors that are discreetly mounted on top of the dashboard.
Ford’s prototype windshield is designed for a hybrid vehicle and displays information such as speed, directions, battery status, whether gas or electric power is being used, current phone call information and more.
Ford unveils HoloFlekt windshield display system – September 2024
The images displayed on the windshield are bright and clear and, according to Ceres, meet all of Ford’s safety, optical and durability requirements, potentially paving the way for the technology to reach production in Ford vehicles. Ford said at its recent display and interfaces presentation that it is working to introduce the technology, but did not provide a timeline.
Several other automakers are also investigating the technology. BMW has introduced its own system last year in i Vision Dee concept car and confirmed that some form of the technology will make its way into next-generation electric vehicles, known internally as the Neue Klasse family. first New Class EV will be a compact crossover coming in 2025.
Nissan’s design chief Alfonso Albaisa told Motor Authority in an interview earlier this year, the screens on the dashboard will eventually be replaced by windshields capable of displaying all the same information.
General Motors Patents also surfaced earlier this year showing a system that could display information across all parts of the screen. According to the patent, there could be cases where this could be useful, such as highlighting an object about to cross the vehicle’s path well before it’s directly in front of the vehicle. Something like this wouldn’t be possible with the narrow field of view offered by current head-up displays.
