Projected Path: A Vehicular Augmented Reality Design

Enhancing Safety and Awareness on the Road

Designed by Lee Beckwith and Victor Ng-Thow-Hing, Projected Path utilizes augmented reality technology to enhance driver safety and awareness on the road. By using a 3D Heads-Up Display (HUD) integrated into the car windshield, this innovative design shows the projected 3-second path of vehicles in the driver's environment.

The inspiration behind Projected Path was to use augmented reality in a useful way that truly helps the driver, rather than serving as a distraction or technical feature. With safety being a major concern in driving, Beckwith and Ng-Thow-Hing aimed to tackle a specific problem using the 3D HUD. The result is the Left Turn Aid, a feature that addresses the human inability to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles.

When the driver enters the turn lane or signals to turn, the Left Turn Aid's "Projected Paths" appear. These paths appear as an area on the ground that moves along with the cars in the driver's field of view, augmented via the heads-up display. The faster oncoming cars are traveling, the longer the 3-second Projected Path is. Drivers can now confidently turn across traffic when the intersection is free of red paths from other cars, ensuring a safer maneuver.

One of the unique properties of Projected Path is the use of a volumetric HUD, which displays true 3D visuals at the correct focal depth. This means that the visuals appear to actually be in the environment, including perspective, focal distance, and parallax. By utilizing computer vision and sensor techniques, the design is able to detect the speed and trajectory of other vehicles, accurately projecting their paths in real-time.

The red Projected Path indicates where the oncoming car will be in the next 3 seconds, calculated by multiplying its speed by time. The heads-up display used in the car provides an immersive augmented reality experience, allowing drivers to perceive the projected paths as if they were actually on the road. This unique combination of technology and design ensures that drivers have a clear understanding of the traffic situation, enabling them to make safer decisions on the road.

Since its inception, Projected Path has undergone extensive research and testing. Statistical research into high accident causing scenarios, particularly left turns across traffic, provided the foundation for this design. The team designed and prototyped the system in a driving simulator, and it has been tested on users who have shown a clear understanding and appreciation for the design. A full scientific study is currently being prepared to further validate its effectiveness.

Projected Path, with its innovative use of augmented reality and advanced HUD technology, has garnered recognition in the design community. In 2013, it was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Idea and Conceptual Design category. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Projected Path has been commended for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a safer driving experience.