Jaguar Land Rover has started a new research project to develop technologies that will offer drivers a 360 degree view out of their vehicle, uninterrupted by the pillars that support the roof. This is perhaps the most interesting safety technology we have heard of recently.
According to the legendary British car maker, a screen would be embedded in the surface of each pillar inside the car and would take a live video feed from cameras covering the angles outside the car usually obscured in the blind spots created by the A, B and C-pillars.
Pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles would be visible all around the car that would otherwise be blocked by these pillars. By combining the transparent pillars with an advanced high quality Heads-Up display, the movement of other road users could be highlighted to the driver with an on-screen halo moving across the car's virtual windscreen.
When the driver indicates to change direction, when they move their head to look over their shoulder during an overtake manoeuvre, or as the vehicle approaches a junction, the system would automatically make the left or right-hand side pillars transparent.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology, Jaguar Land Rover, said, "Our ultimate aim is to reduce the potential for accidents and enhance the urban driving experience. The Jaguar Land Rover research team is developing this technology to improve visibility and to give the driver with the right information at the right time. If we can keep the driver's eyes on the road ahead and present information in a non-distracting way, we can help drivers make better decisions in the most demanding and congested driving environments."
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