What's all this about?
Funky futuristic glasses.
You what? Please expand.
This is MINI Augmented Vision, previewed at Auto Shanghai this month, and it's a prototype technology that (kind of) takes head-up display (HUD) and transplants it to the driver's face.
Sounds a bit gruesome - does it require painful surgery?
No, because the glasses handle all the graphics. In a car-to-goggles interface scenario, all manner of data can be sent from the MINI to the glasses and vice versa. Augmented Vision can display vehicle speed and the current speed limits as well as allow the wearer to select navigation destinations for a forthcoming journey before ever setting foot in the car. And, it will superimpose arrows directly 'onto' the real-world road surface ahead to ensure its wearer can't possibly go wrong in a confusing multi-lane navigation instruction situation and will even provide the driver with X-Ray vision.
Come on now, stop being silly.
It really does! You know how A-pillars or doors can be awkward things, given they're not transparent? Well, Augmented Vision will overlay a 'virtual' view of whatever is obscured by said car body parts into the glasses, giving the driver enhanced visibility; despite them looking daft in their clunky goggles.
Do you think MINI will make this?
Almost certainly, because it performs even more functions than listed above. The project manager for MINI Augmented Vision, Dr Jörg Preissinger, said: "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." So expect to see it in the varied MINI options list before too long.
Matt Robinson - 9 Apr 2015