The future of back seat video may go well beyond tablets and eventually use holograms instead.
A holographic display that is controlled by gestures with a device similar to the Microsoft Kinect is under development and was recently presented at a conference sponsored by Audi in Germany.
The system projects 3D images onto the back of the front seats. It can be used to entertain kids. It can link to scenes that the vehicle is passing so if the car crosses train tracks, the system might project an image of a train. It could become a virtual tour guide of one’s surroundings, or become a mobile office giving passengers access to computer functions.
”This is not far-fetched,” said presenter Steffen Walz, director of Australia’s Victoria University’s RMIT laboratory. He believes the technology will be ready for mass production in 5 years.
”We’re going to build this prototype very soon,” Dr Walz said. ”It will use gestural interaction, a 3D holographic display and also, transparent windows as an interface. ”
The system also relies on GPS.
We contacted Dr. Walz to find out more about bringing the system to market. His response was that there are a number of issues that must be addressed including motion sickness and lighting conditions in the car.
He notes that the car of the future may even have swivel seats in the back so passengers can turn to the window, which becomes the display.
The technology was presented at the Urban Future Summit in Frankfurt. The project is underway at Australia’s RMIT University’s Games & Experimental Entertainment Laboratory (GEElab).
For more on holographic or future displays heading to the car see:
Pioneer to Deliver Heads Up Display in 2012
Source: stuff.co.nz,
This is the coolest thing since back seat videos to keep kids occupied. Reading about it does not do it justis. Check out this video: http://www.gizmag.com/toyota-touchscreen.
It makes you wonder how much this technology will cost the consumer.