Clever augmented reality technology makes the front of section of the car transparent.
Drive a 4×4 on a road and there’s usually little need to see what’s going on below the vehicle. Take it off road, however, and there are times spotting a hidden obstacle could prove invaluable. No doubt Land Rover had the same thought because it has just made the bonnet transparent.
Land Rover’s ‘Transparent Bonnet virtual imaging concept’ allows the driver to see through the bonnet, engine bay and in front of the vehicle. It does this by feeding the footage recorded by cameras of the ground below through a clever head-up display that uses augmented reality technology.
Confused? It’s a bit like that ‘Invisible’ Top Gear transit that would display the view on one side of the van onto the other, effectively giving people nearby a clear(ish) view of what’s on the other side.
Situations where system would be useful include when climbing a steep incline or when trying to get in or out of a particularly tight spot. It will also help keep you from driving over a family pet that has made a home under the vehicle.
The transparent bonnet will be shown off at the New York International Motor Show from April 16th alongside a number of other new concept technologies that may or may not make it to a production model. All will feature on the recently teased Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept.
“As our vehicles become more capable and autonomous off-road, we will ensure the driver has the confidence to allow the car to continue to progress, over any terrain,” Jaguar Land Rover research and technology director commented.
“We are developing new technologies including the Transparent Bonnet to give drivers anaugmented view of reality to help them tackle anything from the toughest off-road route to the tight confines of an urban car park,” he added.
The launch of the new Discovery will tie in nicely with the model’s 25th anniversary.
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