Munich
. MINI is revealing the shape of things to come at
the Auto Shanghai show with a pioneering innovation. “MINI Augmented
Vision gives an insight into how intelligent connectivity between a
MINI car and eyewear into which relevant content is projected might
work in the future,” explains Dr. Jörg Preißinger, project-manager
MINI Augmented Vision, BMW Group research and technology. “Working
with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system
and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic MINI design that
revolutionise the experience both in and outside the vehicle. This
prototype with its customised, interactive functions succeeds in
fusing augmented reality with the brand’s trademark sense of lifestyle.”
Using see-through technology, the AR eyewear shows relevant
information in the driver’s direct field of vision but without
concealing other road users, thereby serving to increase safety and
comfort while driving.
The following functions will be projected into the field of view with
MINI Augmented Vision:
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Destination entry for navigation and transfer to vehicle:
Selecting destination points when outside the vehicle, then
transferring them to the vehicle.
-
First Mile / Last Mile: Navigation display from the
current location to the vehicle or from the vehicle to the final destination.
-
Head-up display functions: Display of speed, speed
limits etc. in the eyewear so the information is in the driver’s
primary field of view, with data always shown in same place above
steering wheel to make sure that no road users are concealed from sight.
-
Contact-analogue navigation and points of interest:
Reality is enhanced by contact-analogue navigation arrows
“on” the road, as well as display of points of interest along the
route, such as open parking spaces. The driver´s attention can
always stay focused on the traffic.
-
Messaging: A small icon is shown in the eyewear
when a message is received. The SMS/message can then be read out by
the car while driving for safety.
-
X-Ray View / transparent vehicle parts: A virtual
view through parts of the vehicle (such as A-pillars and doors)
serves to render external areas or objects concealed by the car visible.
-
Augmented Parking: This facilitates parking by
projecting the images from a camera housed in the (farside) mirror
into the eyewear. In this way, the distance from the curb can be
clearly and easily ascertained.
Design and color-concept of the eyewear were created by Designworks
for MINI.
MINI Augmented Vision has been developed in collaboration with
several Qualcomm companies.
“We are proud to have helped develop a breakthrough augmented reality
interface between eyewear and the automobile,” says Jay Wright, Vice
President, Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc. “MINI Augmented Vision
offers a compelling example of what’s possible today, and what we can
expect in the future.”
