Garmin Introduces Heads Up Display Based Navigation Device
The HUD or Heads Up Displays have always been thought of as one of the coolest pieces of technologies ever created; they can superimpose information on a transparent piece of glass which is both functional and pretty impressive to look at.
HUDs are usually synonymous with modern combat aircraft, in which they are used to display information vital to the pilot. However Garmin, which is renowned for making GPS devices, has recently introduced a portable GPS device which can project turn by turn navigation onto a vehicle’s windshield
(Jef Filcox / Flickr / CC-BY-SA)
in much the same as those installed on a fighter do and while you won’t be able to lock onto passing cars, you will get a fair idea on how to reach your destination faster without needing to look anywhere except the road.
Drive without taking your eyes of the road
The philosophy behind a Heads Up Display is fairly straightforward; give drivers all the relevant information they require without needing them to take their head off the objective. Using such a technology actually makes a lot of sense on the road where dials and screens can act as distractions competing for the driver’s attention which needs to be focused on the road itself.
Many of the high-end cars from BMW, Audi, and Toyota are already offering a Heads Up Display which projects important information such as speed, gear number, and GPS navigation instructions onto the vehicle’s windshield. The portable GPS unit from Garmin, which it simply calls HUD can display navigation instructions such as turn arrows, distance to next turn, current speed, area speed limit and estimated time of arrival onto the lower end of the driver’s line of sight. Furthermore, the device can also recommend best lanes and can even warn you about traffic delays and upcoming safety camera installations.
Smartphone connectivity required
The HUD receives its navigation via Bluetooth from a smartphone such as an iPhone or an Android phone which needs to be running the Garmin Street Pilot 1 or NAVIGON App. The HUD then visually displays this information onto your vehicle’s windshield while also giving verbal turn by turn instructions either through your car’s speakers or your phone’s.
The Garmin HUD will be available for purchase shortly and will be priced at $129.99.
HUDs are usually synonymous with modern combat aircraft, in which they are used to display information vital to the pilot. However Garmin, which is renowned for making GPS devices, has recently introduced a portable GPS device which can project turn by turn navigation onto a vehicle’s windshield
(Jef Filcox / Flickr / CC-BY-SA)
in much the same as those installed on a fighter do and while you won’t be able to lock onto passing cars, you will get a fair idea on how to reach your destination faster without needing to look anywhere except the road.
Drive without taking your eyes of the road
The philosophy behind a Heads Up Display is fairly straightforward; give drivers all the relevant information they require without needing them to take their head off the objective. Using such a technology actually makes a lot of sense on the road where dials and screens can act as distractions competing for the driver’s attention which needs to be focused on the road itself.
Many of the high-end cars from BMW, Audi, and Toyota are already offering a Heads Up Display which projects important information such as speed, gear number, and GPS navigation instructions onto the vehicle’s windshield. The portable GPS unit from Garmin, which it simply calls HUD can display navigation instructions such as turn arrows, distance to next turn, current speed, area speed limit and estimated time of arrival onto the lower end of the driver’s line of sight. Furthermore, the device can also recommend best lanes and can even warn you about traffic delays and upcoming safety camera installations.
Smartphone connectivity required
The HUD receives its navigation via Bluetooth from a smartphone such as an iPhone or an Android phone which needs to be running the Garmin Street Pilot 1 or NAVIGON App. The HUD then visually displays this information onto your vehicle’s windshield while also giving verbal turn by turn instructions either through your car’s speakers or your phone’s.
The Garmin HUD will be available for purchase shortly and will be priced at $129.99.