Shop Parts keyboard_double_arrow_right
Need car parts? Select your vehicle
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Summary
  • At its core, augmented reality (AR) technology does exactly what it says it does. It augments reality, displaying digital images and information onto the physical world. AR navigation overlays digital automotive information onto the real world, including directions and vehicle speed.
  • AR navigation keeps the driver’s eyes focused on the road, minimizing distractions and increasing driver confidence. Unfortunately, an overreliance on AR technology can be detrimental to driver focus.
  • BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi are among the manufacturers offering AR navigation systems in their vehicles.

AR has come a long way in recent years. While the system has its roots in the tech of the 1960s, AR only recently hit mainstream in the 2010s. For a while, AR was solely being utilized for entertainment and information media. Since then though, AR has continued to grow and develop into other industries. It’s entirely possible that you’re using AR tech right now in your car’s navigation system! But what is AR, and how is it shaping modern automotive navigation?

What Is Augmented Reality?

At its core, augmented reality technology does exactly what it says it does. It augments reality, displaying digital images and information onto the physical world. AR can include sound, visuals, and other sensory elements to enhance the experience. AR tech often involves the use of projections and screens to display and integrate digital information on top of physical space. But what does this have to do with the automotive industry?

See also  What to Expect from the Ford-Volkswagen Partnership

What Is AR Navigation?

AR navigation is one of the newest fads in automotive technology. Through the vehicle’s head-up display (HUD) or dash-top infotainment screen, AR navigation overlays digital information onto the real world. For HUD-integrated systems, AR navigation projects the info straight into the driver’s line of sight on the road ahead of them. A driver with AR navigation turned on might see an arrow pointing where they need to make their turn or a guide for where to merge lanes without obstructing their view of traffic.

This feature keeps drivers from looking down at their phones for directions, making navigating more intuitive and engaging. It keeps drivers’ eyes on the road, where they should be.

Thousands of happy customers choose CarParts.com. Shop Now

Augmented Reality Navigation Benefits and Drawbacks

AR navigation sounds like a fun and futuristic feature, and it has a number of benefits. However, before you decide you need AR navigation in your life, you should also know about the drawbacks of driving with augmented reality tools. This section goes over both the good and the bad of AR navigation.

Benefits

Let’s start with the benefits. As we’ve mentioned, AR navigation keeps the driver’s eyes focused on the road. By overlaying navigation info directly onto the HUD, AR navigation systems minimize distractions. Having all the real-time information regarding traffic signals, lane changes, and road conditions right in front of them also helps drivers make decisions more quickly and easily. It can reduce fatigue on the road as well by keeping drivers focused on one thing rather than on multiple devices. After a time, drivers might even grow more confident while driving, thanks to the reduced risks of getting lost.

See also  Hyundai Reveals New Transmission Technology

Drawbacks

Unfortunately, an overreliance on AR navigation can be one of its biggest drawbacks. Drivers can’t get too complacent on the road, even with AR assistance. The technology might be cutting edge right now, but it still has a long way to go. For instance, AR tech might not pick up on sudden changes on the road like a crash or a child running into the street.

In addition, the additional information on the HUD might prove to be more distracting than helpful if the interface isn’t well designed. If the road is already busy and full of other things to process like vehicle locations and pedestrians, AR navigation might become more of a problem than a solution to distracted driving.

There’s also the price to consider. Because it’s relatively new in the automotive industry, AR tools can be expensive to include in your vehicle package at the dealer’s. You might want to wait until the technology trickles down from luxury vehicles to midrange ones.

Brands Offering Augmented Reality Navigation

If you have your heart set on getting a vehicle with AR navigation, here are some manufacturers that are currently offering the feature:

BMW

The BMW AR Head-Up Display (HUD) projects information onto the vehicle’s windshield directly, including the vehicle’s speed, collision warnings, and navigation directions. The system also gives 3D route guidance and has pedestrian and blind spot detection.

Audi

Like BMW’s system, Audi’s AR navigation system with an AR HUD projects instructions directly onto the windshield. It provides turn-by-turn directions, real-time hazard alerts, and even has virtual traffic lights that the driver can rely on at complex intersections.

See also  Nissan Unveils Updated Self-driving Technology, Still Shuns Lidar Tech

Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz MBUX Hyperscreen is an infotainment system with AR navigation integrated into its dashboard display. Using sensors and cameras, the system superimposes the navigation instructions onto a live video feed that shows navigation arrows and recognizes traffic signs. It’s even gesture controlled.

Hyundai

Hyundai’s version of an AR navigation system includes a lane guidance feature and object detection to keep drivers safe on the road. It also displays on the HUD.

Nissan

Nissan built their AR navigation system on Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) technology. The system uses cloud-based data and sensors to create a virtual map of the environment. A virtual assistant appears on the vehicle’s windshield to provide real-time information and guidance. The entire system can be personalized according to a driver’s preferences, and it displays points of interest like restaurants and gas stations as needed.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s AR HUD has collision warnings and speed limit recognitions so drivers can stay alert on the road. It also provides real-time route adjustments that change based on current traffic conditions.

Is Augmented Reality Navigation the Future of Navigation Systems?

Only time will tell if AR navigation is a feature that’s here to stay. With more time comes more research, and it seems likely that manufacturers will continue improving the system. It’s entirely possible for the technology to slowly trickle down to midrange vehicles, as many luxury features have in the past. Either way, we look forward to seeing what automotive augmented reality systems look like in a few years.

About The Author
Written By Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

File Under : Automotive World Tagged With : , , , , ,
CP Membership Plus
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
expand_more
CarParts.com Answers BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY: Share your knowledge & help fellow drivers Join Now