As LCD displays can’t be easily curved, their use in vehicle dashboards has been very limited. So Mitsubishi is hoping the wraparound rear projection dashboard display used in their EMIRAI concept could see widespread use in just 10 years.
Unveiled at the recent 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the EMIRAI was only built to demonstrate Mitsubishi’s idea of what the near future of interactive dashboards could look like. Rear projection displays were used instead of LCDs because they allow for extreme curves, surrounding a driver so that information was always visible to them. And for navigating menus and the UI, a touch-friendly half-sphere display sits just to the right of the driver, even allowing them to hand write letters and characters for programming a destination.
The EMIRAI concept also incorporates advanced biometrics, keeping tabs on the driver’s physical condition through the use of heartbeat detecting doppler sensors and a camera monitoring their body temperature through their face. It’s not all about the drivers, though. The one feature of this concept I wouldn’t mind disappearing into the automotive ether is the glasses-free curved 3D displays for the backseat passengers that ensure even Top Gun pilots will get motion sickness while riding along. [DigInfo]
Tristan
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:49 PM“As LCD displays can’t be easily curved, their use in vehicle dashboards has been very limited. So Mitsubishi is hoping the wraparound rear projection dashboard display used in their EMIRAI concept could see widespread use in just 10 years.”
Can’t they just use these screens -> http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/10/what-the-heck-is-this-crazy-flexible-nokia-phone/ ???
Rowan
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 8:55 PMStop being a douche and release it now!!!
MotorMouth
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 5:18 AMYeah, backlit LCDs might not be conducive to curves but OLED certainly is. I’d also be concerned that if the projector failed I’d lose my whole dashboard, not just a pixel here and there.
Tim
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 7:55 AMthose were my first tw thoughts as well. They would wanna have mechanical alternate just in case, just wind down the oled display for old fashioned speedo, petrol gage and odo. Last thing you want is for a graphics driver bug to crash the ui on a critical display
Chris
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 8:47 AMHopefully they can get some kind of mega contrast/ anti-glare working for them. Just think about how bad it is for a mobile phone screen with direct sunlight.
Now combine that with how terrible rear projector screens are in general.
Now put it all together, driving down the street, the afternoon sun at your back. And no dash whatsoever.
david
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 10:46 AMMy Toyota Soarer had a curved Digital dash, I think it was rear projection.
It was the BEST instrument console I have ever seen in a car, made you feel like you were in a fighter jet.
http://www.doubleyoudigital.nl/imgsold/digidash_toyotasoarer.jpg
James
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 7:24 PMThe real question here should be……”What the hell is up with that chick’s ear MAN!!!!!”