“Working with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic MINI design that revolutionise the experience both in and outside the vehicle,” said project-manager MINI Augmented Vision of BMW Group research and technology Dr. Jörg Preißinger.
He added that this prototype with its customised, interactive functions is capable in fusing augmented reality with the brand’s trademark sense of lifestyle.
Using see-through technology, the augmented reality (AR) eyewear shows relevant information in the driver’s direct field of vision without concealing other road users to help increase safety and comfort while driving.
The following functions will be projected into the field of view with the MINI Augmented Vision and includes destination entry for navigation and transfer to vehicle.
This includes selecting destination points when outside the vehicle, then transferring them to the vehicle.
Another function is First Mile / Last Mile, which appears on the Navigation display from the current location to the vehicle or from the vehicle to the final destination.
Contact-analogue navigation and points of interest will also be revealed and reality is enhanced by contact-analogue navigation arrows “on” the road, as well as display of points of interest along the route, such as open parking spaces so that the driver´s attention can always stay focused on the traffic.
A small icon is shown in the eyewear when a message is received and the SMS / message can then be read out by the car while driving safely.
Dubbed X-Ray View / transparent vehicle parts, a virtual view is shown through parts of the vehicle (such as A-pillars and doors) and serves to render external areas or objects concealed by the car visible.
The Augmented Parking feature facilitates parking by projecting the images from a camera housed in the (farside) mirror into the eyewear so that the distance from the curb can be clearly and easily ascertained.
