Next-gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class to feature ‘Splitview’ technology
12/11/2008, 12:26 PM
By Drew Johnson
The saying goes in the automotive world that if you want to see what technology will be in ‘normal’ cars in 10-years time, look no further than the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The German automaker is continuing that technology leadership with its latest S-Class, which features a new technology dubbed ‘Splitview’.
The new technology essentially lets the driver and front passenger view two different programs at the same time on the car’s center-mounted LCD screen – while the driver is viewing navigation directions, the front seat occupant can be watching a DVD on the very same screen.
The Splitview system – which was co-developed between Mercedes and Bosch – uses a trick pixel system and an image filter to display two unique images, depending on seating position, from the same 8-inch LCD display. Just think of Splitview like those old baseball cards that showed a player batting as you moved the card, only a lot more technologically advanced.
Splitview will first debut in the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is slated to hit the market in summer 2009.
12/11, 12:29 PM
posted by:
Borat
Those a very large 8 inches in the image
12/11, 12:39 PM
posted by:
tntwrx
Eclipse already came out with splitview last year : Eclipse AVN887HD
But nice to see an OEM following suit
12/11, 12:48 PM
posted by:
A4
you could have just said a hologram, instead of some doofy explanation using a baseball card. we arent stupid lln.
12/11, 1:00 PM
posted by:
wonderdallas
No, the baseball card concept is analogous. A hologram is a projection in 3D or a resonable facsimilie thereof…. but the SplitView is an advanced version of the old baseball card technology called lenticular printing. The screen is not projecting images out into space as the pic of the Merc dash shows…. instead it’s displaying certain pixels that are viewable only at given angles.
12/11, 1:01 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
What the heck is wrong with people that they only get fulfillment staring at a tube anymore? Is personal interaction and the creativity of entertaining friends beyond the grasp of people these days? I’ve been on virtually non-stop cross-country drives with many different people and never turned on the radio or popped in a CD or iPod and we were never bored once during the whole thing. It’s called “using your mind.”
12/11, 1:19 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m still holding out for “Slutview” technology that scans all the women walking down the street and displays only the ones worth taking my eyes off the road for.
12/11, 1:37 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I hope that this is only an option.
12/11, 1:38 PM
posted by:
Tritonpower5.4
This is pretty freakin cool!!!!
12/11, 2:06 PM
posted by:
928dreamer
Can they come up with this technology for the speedo? This way you can see your actual speed while your sig other ( ie rev limiter) sees a much lower speed.
12/11, 2:17 PM
posted by:
gehrhardt
@928dreamer:
Ha, The first time I read your post I thought you meant “Speedos”. Fat men get the (apparent) comfort of a Speedo while everyone else sees long swim trunks. Everyone wins.
12/11, 2:18 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
johnnycanuck is so right! thats a real option that would make money! what happens if someone in the back center seat looks at the screen? would they get that messy screen combining both images together like in the pic?
12/11, 2:21 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
I want one where at home I watch porn while the GF is watching Oprah.
12/11, 2:53 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
I’m more intersected in a all new 6.5 V-12 Twin Turbo with 715 HORSE POWER!!!!
With a real 6 Speed manual trans. not no flimsy paddle shifters…
12/11, 3:28 PM
posted by:
NRG
Your Comment
12/11, 3:30 PM
posted by:
NRG
Just think of the cost to fix it when it brakes down, that is after the warranty expires. I think we need more complicated stuff in cars. Next, Mercedes should put in a fast food restaurant in their cars. WTF.
12/11, 4:08 PM
posted by:
pzimet
Wow, that’s awesome. Everyone can be pessimistic, including you NRG, but THINGS WILL PROGRESS WITH TIME, there is no way to stop change and the development of new technology, and for all your scathing criticism, if you had the chance to experience such technology you’d probably bust a nut. Stop complaining. It’s how the world works, and this specific example looks pretty cool.
12/11, 4:37 PM
posted by:
crackerhemi
Hillbilly crackers from the midwest don’t like change; that’s why everyone here is complaining.
12/11, 4:37 PM
posted by:
bmw 740i
thats pretty awesome.. take note ford and gm, mercedes is innovating something you guys need to start doing
12/11, 7:22 PM
posted by:
atoms
but what will the person in the back seats see when they lean forward?
12/11, 11:15 PM
posted by:
Kaizen
US lawyers will have a field day after the first accident.
12/12, 1:06 AM
posted by:
olds307
More junk no one needs.
12/12, 2:13 PM
posted by:
NRG
@pzimet. I see your point. So I think they should put in a laptop somehwhere in the dashboard, along with video games too. The more the merrier. After all, like you said, THINGS WILL PROGRESS WITH TIME. So, don’t tell me you are against the fast food restaurant. I think that is a swell idea.
12/12, 9:55 PM
posted by:
sharpie
“Hillbilly crackers from the midwest don’t like change; that’s why everyone here is complaining.” – crackerhemi
You really meant the Bible thumping deep south. The midwest had voted for change in this past election!