The latest buzz in the world of cars and future windshields is the new heads up display that GM already has in production. This technology was originally developed for military fighter jets, where pilots would need to be able to stay alert while checking their gages so that they could monitor their altitude, speed, and targeting systems while continuing to navigate with precision. After launching in depth research into these displays and incorporating them in several different vehicles, GM has announced that their 2013 GMC Acadia will come standard with this feature.
Advances in technology are making it so these windshields of the future – HUD systems are increasingly common. Other GM cars that have it are the Cadillac ATS and the Buick LaCrosse. Experts expect that the new HUD windshield is going to revolutionize the motor vehicle industry and become an important feature in vehicles of the future. Of course, this means that drivers are going to see the road differently and repair shops are going to have to adapt and improve so that they can keep up with the times.
History of HUD
Believe it or not, this is not the first time that the revolutionary heads up display has been incorporated into a vehicle for the public. General Motors actually released the first HUD in 1988. Used to display speed, RPMs, and other basic information from the dashboard, this feature was implemented on the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Ten years later, the Corvette C5 featured the first color display. The first European company to implement this technology on cars that would be sold to the public was BMW, who introduced their version in 2003.
Further research and development has improved this technology and made it into a valuable safety feature. Now, the information that shows up on the windshield display is much more sophisticated.
How the Technology Works
There are several different ways that companies have implemented HUD technology. GM, for example, uses a windshield that is coated with transparent phosphors that light up when they come into contact with light from a compact laser.
Modern heads up displays use a newer technology called augmented reality. This technology can integrate reality with the digital world by connecting with GPS systems, mobile apps, infrared cameras, and the internet. Some of the most common features of these HUDs are turn-by-turn navigation, an icon for incoming calls, the ability to see whether your lights or turn signals are on, and even the current exterior temperature.
Rather than simply displaying your odometer or tachometer, the new HUDs can be customized more specifically to your needs. Their displays are easy to see – even in direct sunlight or low-visibility conditions. The HUD system can be turned on or off depending on when and where you are driving. Brightness can be adjusted to your liking.
One of the biggest benefits to GM’s new HUD systems is that they do a lot to promote safety. One of the modern trends is that people have more and more gadgets and tools that take their focus away from the road. From GPS navigators to cell phones, there always seems to be a reason to multitask while you are driving. The heads up displays that GM has incorporated into their vehicles should reduce the need to look away from the road. There are even some HUDs that can warn of impending dangers on the road and help to navigate in low visibility conditions.
How it will Affect Auto Repair Shops
The future windshields -HUD systems are not only revolutionizing the driving experience, they are also revolutionizing the world of automotive repair. In order to keep up with the changing times, repair shops are going to need to ensure that they have at least one or two technicians that are able to diagnose and repair broken HUDS. Although heads up displays are computer-based and highly technical, there are certain repairs that can be done without having to invest in specialized tools.
As time goes on and heads up displays become more common in vehicles, repairs will also become standard. This means that having the right tools and providing training so that technicians know how to work on them will become increasingly essential. Because one of the essential components of these systems is a specialized windshield, repair shops may have to stock new windshields for these vehicles, as well as the parts that are needed to adjust and repair HUDs. If you find yourself in need of HUD repair in the future, make sure you use an auto body shop, like Grand Sport Auto Body, that is always up to date on the latest industry’s trends!
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