Harman Introduces Revolutionary In-Car Display Technology
When driving at high speeds, it can be easy to underestimate the distance a car covers in just one second. A car travelling at 60mph can cover almost 27 metres in that time – equivalent to the length of a grand slam tennis court. This can be a dangerous oversight for distracted drivers who fail to realize the vast distance cars travel at speed.
Harman, a renowned maker of audio and in-car tech, has developed an innovative alternative to traditional head-up displays to help reduce the time it takes for drivers to gather essential information while on the road. Their new technology, Ready Vision Qvue, displays information on the black reflective strip at the base of the windscreen glass, known as the ‘frit’. This display area could be extended slightly further up the screen if adopted for production.
The proximity of this display to the driver’s line of sight allows for better utilization of peripheral vision, enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road ahead rather than looking down at a dash-mounted screen inside the cabin. According to Harman, drivers may spend significantly less time glancing at the new display – between 0.5 to 1.0 seconds, compared to 1.0 to 2.0 seconds for a central infotainment screen or even up to 2.5 seconds for a third-party smart device.
The importance of minimizing distraction while driving is further emphasized by the well-known ‘two-second rule’, which helps drivers maintain a safe following distance. Any additional time spent searching for information on displays can potentially compromise safety on the road.
While head-up displays have been introduced to enhance driver visibility, Harman’s Ready Vision Qvue takes a different approach by aligning with conventional car instrumentation. This projection reflective display utilizes two Samsung horizontal displays to project a clear image with minimal blurring, ensuring optimal readability in all conditions.
Moreover, Harman plans to integrate the system with Ready Care technology, which can detect when a driver is experiencing a high cognitive load and adjust the amount of information displayed accordingly. This proactive approach aims to enhance driver focus and reduce distractions while on the road.
In conclusion, Harman’s innovative in-car display technology represents a significant step towards improving driver safety and reducing distractions on the road. By keeping essential information within the driver’s line of sight and minimizing cognitive load, this new system offers a promising solution for a safer driving experience.
