The system will be integrated into production models from 2015.
Mercedes-Benz will present a new navigation system on October 10 at the InsideAR conference, which concerns “augmented reality” applications. The prototype is called the In-Vehicle Infotainment System and is based on “augmented reality”, since it displays a video of the area in front of the car on the screen, projecting the navigation information on top of the video.
The video comes from a camera in the car, which records in real time everything in the driver's field of vision. The image is transferred directly to the system's screen, on the car's dashboard, where navigation information is added in the form of graphics.
In addition to how far the next turn is or how long the driver should continue on a particular road, this information also includes the nearest points of interest, such as nearby gas stations or restaurants.
The German automaker believes that with "augmented reality," navigation will become more visual and user-friendly for the driver. The first mass-produced models incorporating the system are expected to hit the market in 2015, while its estimates are that sales will exceed 2.1 million units over the next decade.
Mercedes is also experimenting with navigation units that project directions directly onto the car's windshield, but it says it has yet to find a way to make these systems safe, as tests show they distract the driver.
Source: portal.kathimerini.gr
