Bosch Wants to Bring 3D Displays to Vehicles

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

When 3D movies came out, it was an extraordinary feat for the film industry. But now, there are 3D televisions and virtual reality headsets for videogames. Yet displays in automobiles are still stuck in 2D. Bosch, the German automotive supply giant, is looking to change that. The supply company is looking to introduce 3D display products in cars in the near future.


3D Displays Without The Hassle
 
Unlike 3D technology in movies or televisions, Bosch's proposed tech for automobile displays are passive. That means viewers don't have to wear glasses to see the effect or look at the display from a specific angle. The company's display doesn't require eye tracking, either.
 
As to why come out with the technology, Bosch believes that it could drastically improve the way drivers receive and comprehend data. "The display's depth of field means drivers can grasp important visual information faster, whether from an assistance system or a traffic-jam alert," said Dr. Steffen Berns, president of Bosch Car Multimedia. "Alerts that seem to jump out of the display are much more obvious and urgent."
 
While no other automakers have come out with 3D technology for cars , some have started to come out with different ways to relay information to drivers. From vibrating seats to steering wheels that fight back, coming out with new ways to provide drivers with information is one of the next big things in the automotive industry. And Bosch thinks 3D displays are the next logical step to take.


The Next Step In Technology
 
As the company outlines in a press release, a 3D display that works with a car's rearview camera can help display obstacles in a more usable manner. With a more realistic image, the company believes drivers will be able to avoid obstacles more quickly. Navigation will also be improved, as a 3D display can clearly mark out where exactly the next turn is by displaying possible markers to look out for.
 
Having a 3D display sounds like it might require a large amount of computing power and multiple computers, but Bosch claims only one cockpit computer is in charge of the entire show. As the company explains, having one computer that can do everything means the vehicle doesn't have as much weight, while development times are decreased, too. Over-the-air updates will help keep the display up to date.
 
Bosch still has some ways to go, as the technology itself is something that could be previewed on future concept cars. There's one modern system on the road that gets close to giving drivers a 3D view of what lies ahead. Mercedes-Benz's latest MBUX infotainment system has a forward-facing camera that helps create turn-by-turn navigation through augmented reality for drivers. Floating signs (arrows) hover above the view of the actual road. While MBUX is one of the most high-tech systems on the road, it's still only 2D.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods