According to an article in the Financial Times, BMW is working on an augmented reality headset that will allow the driver to see through the car. The technology is supposedly being revealed at the Shanghai motor show in April 2015.
BMW was one of the car companies that offered augmented reality programs for the training of mechanics and as a first help option for users. However, this new announcement suggests technology aimed at use by the driver. While BMW has not directly released any comment on the technology, the description from the Financial Times is reminiscent of the announcement from Jaguar about creating a transparent car shell and eliminating blind spots.
The technology uses external cameras to provide the augmented reality headset with the information of what is behind the car’s outer shell. This applies to cars in front, behind or to the side. This could be a very helpful approach for parking in tight spaces for example.
The article states that BMW is actually developing these glasses and that the company will also display real time information about the car as well as other information. It also speculates that the headset will provide information for use outside of the car, which would make them basically the next Google Glass competitor. This seems to be a little far fetched, unless it is a pure technology prototype that shows the AR functionality for travel related uses. – Norbert Hildebrand
