ENLIGHTEN3D

By Joshua Koopferstock

French car manufacturer Renault is teaming up with Holografika, creators of the glasses-free HoloVizio display, and Oktal, a provider of simulation software, to develop a 3D holographic screen for cars. That appears to be all the detail on this for the moment, so we are left to wonder, what are they going to DO with a 3D display in a vehicle?

A Renault Megané Coupé Cabriolet (image from www.renault.com)

I’m not much of a car person myself, but a few half-formed ideas come to mind. There are certain occasions when 2D maps do not provide enough detail for navigation (when roads go over or under each other), and if nothing else, 3D maps would be a more impressive visual feature. Is the future 3D Google Earth in every car? While we may be working toward that, it is still a ways off.

Perhaps it is a way to more accurately visualize the exterior of a vehicle. Renault’s product line does include cars with a rear parking sensor, and it would certainly be helpful to be able to visualize this in 3D.

At this point, it’s impossible to say exactly what they have in mind. Even if they’re just doing this as eye-candy, though, it should spur car enthusiasts and programmers to think of new and interesting ways to use the 3D displays. I look forward to seeing what, if anything, actually comes to market from this partnership.

via Optics.org (free registration required to view article)

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