Just a couple of years ago, the idea of a device projecting information driving directions onto a car’s windshield seemed super futuristic. Now they’re becoming a reality, with the European release of Pioneer’s NavGate head-up display the latest. And believe it or not, this one’s actually pretty affordable.
The new but long-awaited augmented reality NavGate system clips onto the driver’s side visor and uses lasers to create an image that’s equivalent to a 30-inch display placed about 5m in front of the vehicle. It displays everything from turn-by-turn directions and estimated time of arrival to the current speed and speed limits. It can also pair up with a smartphone and works with the CoPilot and iGo Primo navigation apps. BMW makes a similar system for some of its models, while other companies like Garmin and Cadillac offer more basic versions. If you’re having a hard time imagining what all this might look like, rewatch RoboCop, and it should make more sense.
Pioneer’s NavGate will be available in Europe next month for a cool £600 (about $1021). It’s unclear when the technology will make it over to this side of the pond. At that price, though, it ought to make a splash when it does. [Pioneer via Engadget]