Heads-Up Displays: the future of automotive instrumentation?

A group of venture capitalists are seeking to invest $5 million for a team of engineers to develop a standard heads-up display system for automobiles. The aim is to deliver a prototype and a plan for pitching a commercial version to automakers within three years, according to Business Week.

A heads-up display (HUD) is essentially a projection on a lower section of the windshield that would deliver such information as speed, gas level, engine speed, stereo controls, and so on. The aim is to provide features similar to BMW's iDrive, but on the windshield instead of a computer screen in the front console. The HUD approach promises to keep drivers' eyes on the road.

Currently, some vehicles like the BMW M5 and M6 feature limited HUDs, but investors Jonathan Fram and Howard Schultz want to see features like email offered, as well. "You can stare straight ahead with hands on the wheel to drive and check e-mail at the same time. That's vastly safer than drivers looking down and taking one or both hands off the wheel to play with their BlackBerry."