Recently featured at the Shanghai Auto Show are carmaker Mini’s version of augmented reality glasses that are designed specifically for driving. These prototype reality glasses were designed by BMW’s DesignworksUSA and they look like a pair of big aviation googles; but these are no ordinary pair of shades, as these glasses are connected to the car system. While other car manufacturers are concentrating on developing autonomous cars, BMW is focusing more on technology and driver safety.
Mini Augmented Vision glasses are designed with the driver in mind, as they will offer the driver a hands-free, heads-up display to look at texts, music control, detecting obstacles, as well as directions when paired with the Mini. The displays were inspired from airplane technology, which is able to give fighter pilots critical information without them having to look down in order to look at their instruments. According to Robert Ritcher, an advanced engineer at BMW’s US technology office, the user interface is kept very minimal in order to not distract the driver. In addition, these glasses also overlay the world with information such as speed limits, show points of interest, such as parking garages and museums. These high-tech shades are combined with the sensors and cameras that are located on the car’s exterior in order to give the driver “x-ray vision”. This will can help the driver in tight driving situations, as well as allow the driver to see any obstacles, such as a curb, because they will literally have the ability to see “through” the car. Within the frames are an array of technology, such as GPS sensors, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors along with an Android operating system and a Qualcomm processor, a processor that is widely used in tablets and smartphones.
While BMW is focusing a lot of time and energy into technology that will make driving safer, there is no current time frame for when this amazing unit to become reality as the timeline for production of this technology has not been revealed.