What’s a HUD and Why are Car Makers so Anxious to Add Them?

The automobile market is currently changing in unprecedented ways. Electric vehicles are replacing those powered by internal combustion engines. Cars are adding more sensors, communications capabilities and pushing the abilities of autonomous driving. Car interiors are being reshaped and electronics are poised to become the dominant cost of new vehicles after the battery packs. Displays of all types will be everywhere in new cars. This includes pillar-to-pillar curved displays, rear-seat big-screen entertainment, transparent window displays, displays for rear-view mirrors, and Head-up Displays (HUDs).

One of the primary drivers for adoption of HUD is consumer concern for passenger and vehicle safety. Studies suggest that driver distraction is one of the major causes of accidents. Part of the solution to taming driver distraction are sensors and software that can detect when a driver is sleepy, distracted, or spending too much time looking at the dashboard. HUDs can help alert the driver to pay attention and keep their eyes on the road.

The first of several white papers on the automotive HUD ecosystem is now available for downloading. This introductory paper, titled, “What’s a HUD and Why are Car Makers so Anxious to Add Them?”, will set the stage for more detailed papers to follow. To learn more about the HUD categories, its development history, the benefits they offer, please register to download the white paper.