By Drew Johnson
Wednesday, Mar 17th, 2010 @ 9:12 pm

General Motors pioneered the head-up display (HUD) in 1988, so it’s only fitting that the Detroit-based automaker is working on the next-generation of the technology. GM has partnered with several universities to develop its augmented-reality HUD technology, which superimposes the windshield with informative graphics.

Working with prestigious universities like Carnegie Mellon University and The University of Southern California, General Motors R&D has developed a new head-up display system that incorporates a number of new technologies and uses the entire windshield as a display mechanism.

Using an array of vehicle sensors and cameras, the new system can detect edge road lines in foggy conditions and then display the edge lines on the vehicle’s entire windshield via transparent phosphors and compact lasers. If visibility is further reduced by rain, snow or other conditions, the system can be paired with nigh vision, essentially transforming the entire windshield into an enhanced display.

(More after video)

“Let’s say you’re driving in fog, we could use the vehicle’s infrared cameras to identify where the edge of the road is and the lasers could ‘paint’ the edge of the road onto the windshield so the driver knows where the edge of the road is,†said Thomas Seder, group lab manager-GM R&D.

Additionally, the new system can be combined with sign reading technology, alerting the driver when they are traveling over the posted speed limit or providing reminders when a desired freeway exit is approaching. GM has yet to announce a production application for the new HUD technology, but says the feature will be available in the “near-term future.â€

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