The rise of connected cars is taking one various shapes and sizes. While Tesla is busy perfecting its autopilot technology, other car makers are focusing on augmented reality to offer a completely new driving experience.
Car manufacturers decided to showcase the latest concepts for augmented reality-enabled cars in last week's Tokyo Motor Show, Discovery reported. The technology, coupled with Internet connectivity, GPS, cameras, and projectors, turn windshields into displays.
One good example is a car able to sense its surroundings. The car can alert the driver of unseen pedestrians in blind spots. The connected car of the future can also warn of possible collisions while on the road and even illuminate objects that are in the dark and displaying them on the windshield. Truly very exciting.
But that is not the end of it. Basically, the possibilities are limitless, as BBC explained, "That's just the sort of information that a Google-connected car could use to avoid certain exits, or find the cheapest gas, or begin heating the headlamps and wipers for the ice storm ahead. In this near-future, augmented reality isn't just you plus car, but you plus car plus the sum of all human knowledge (in real time)."
The recent Mitsubishi concept car Emirai 3 xDas also keeps track of driver's head movements, facial expressions, and heart rate. Through a wearable device, the Emirai is able to tell if you are sleepy and will advise on the next stop, its distance, etc. It also uses 3D mapping to warn of oncoming road hazards, corners, and junctions, Autocar UK noted.
Google is also an obvious player in this field. They recently rolled out an experimental billboard system. By renting out a few electronic billboards, Google is able to post relevant ads on weather, special events, even "in aggregate, who is driving by."
A Google-connected car will also be able to tell driver what exits to avoid, where the cheapest gas is, or to warn the driver of ice storms ahead so the car can be primed with heating headlamps and wipers.
