Heads Up Display (HUD) in Cars

How about you get to see several data points, like car speed or oil in the tank, just on the front glass rather than looking at a separate panel while driving? It can actually be possible, that too, not only in super cars or luxury cars but also in mass-segment cars. This technology is known as Heads Up Display, which helps the driver to maintain their focus on lanes while also checking different metrics of the car. The main benefit is that it helps the driver to stay focused and not get distracted.

What is HUD?

HUD, or Heads Up Display, is a technology that helps to project several important pieces of information on the line of sight of the user. It is mainly used in three sectors: aviation, automotive, and gaming. Automotive HUD is the one we will be dealing with in this article. 

Automotive HUD is a technology that helps to project directly on the driver’s lane of view, which helps the driver to maintain focus on the road without needing to look at the dashboard. Several major pieces of information can be displayed by this system, like car speed, fuel limit, navigation information, and the Advanced Driver Assistance System. 

Benefits of Heads Up Display 

Heads Up Display is becoming increasingly popular in cars today's date, and there are several reasons that are contributing to this growth. The convenience of the driver for looking at a straight line rather than being distracted is the most obvious reason, but that is not the sole purpose; there are many. Let's know the different reasons behind HUD’s popularity in detail: 

1. Better Safety: The first important thing that gets solved with the help of HUD is safety issues. Sometimes any unexpected crash can happen if the driver is not totally focused on the road and is looking at the information like speedometer or fuel meter, so when every information is displayed in front, distraction gets minimised. 

2. Aesthetic Appeal: When buying a car, mileage or security might be the most important metrics that a customer checks, but that’s not all, there is one more thing that contributes to the success, and that is aesthetic appeal. The HUD in new cars is giving a modern look attractive to the younger generations. 

3. Ideal for Rapid Response: When all the information is in the right position, then it helps the driver to stay aware of different metrics, like seeing the fuel in the car and deciding whether to enter the closest pump or if they can decide to slow down the car if the speed is becoming too high. 

4. Customization: It is often many people’s wish to customize their car in a way that they like, and it happens with the help of the HUD feature. The owner can decide which information they want to see and can make it visible with the help of a HUD that too has a futuristic appearance. 

5. Continuous Speed Monitoring: Overspeeding is one of the major reasons behind several accidents that happen in India and all over the world. It is essential to keep the speed in check even if the road is clear and vehicle-free. One simple obstacle in the road can cause a major accident. HUD helps to avoid that by allowing the driver to continuously monitor speed without removing attention from the lane. 

Types of HUD

Now, HUD is not just a single technology that is the same for every car; it has different types that we need to understand. Here are the 5 types of HUDs that are available in the market that you can get in your car: 

1. Smartphone-Based HUD: This HUD system is based on smartphone applications that help them display information on the windshield or a separate screen, relying on the GPS of the smartphone. The sensors of the smartphone help with speed and navigation direction data. 

2. Windshield Projected HUD: This is about seamless integration of data, like speed, fuel left, navigation, and other alerts, directly onto the windshield. This creates a virtual image that floats in front of the driver, helping them to stay focused on the lane. 

3. Augmented Reality (AR) HUD: This is a still evolving technology, and it enhances the traditional display systems by multiple times. Through it, the information can be displayed onto real-world views like the road ahead, which helps the driver to focus on information while also enjoying the environment. 

4. Combiner Projected HUD: These HUDs project the data on a separate transparent screen, which is also known as the combiner, that helps to reflect the information in the driver's line of sight. This type of HUD is mainly used in aftermarket installations and is a cheaper option compared to windshield projected HUD. 

5. Scenic View HUD: It is for improving your driving experience by providing a clear visual of the obstacles in the road. This offers a high-contrast display of the hidden obstacles or important road features in the driver’s line of sight. 

Car Models in India With Heads Up Display 

Though HUD technology is not very popular among Indian cars, there are some cars that provide this technology for you. Here is a list of them: 

Affordable Range

1. Maruti Suzuki Baleno 
2. Toyota Glanza
3. Maruti Suzuki Fronx
4. Maruti Suzuki Brezza
5. Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
6. Kia Seltos X-Line
7. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Luxury Segment 

1. Mini Cooper Countryman
2. Audi A6
3. BMW 3 Series
4. Toyota Camry
5. Mercedes-Benz S-Class 

Advantages and Disadvantages of HUD 

Like every other thing, HUD also has its own pros and cons. When you go to buy a car with HUD or install HUD after buying it, it is better to know both the advantages and disadvantages of it so you can make a better decision of whether to get this technology or not. 

Advantages of HUD 

1. It provides better safety as the driver can stay focused on the road rather than being distracted to look for the important data. 

2. It helps the driver a lot with navigation, as the driver can properly navigate through roads without looking at other devices for information. 

3. It makes your driving experience and overall car experience better as you get the option to optimize it in a way only you want. 

4. If you want to give your car a modern aesthetic look, then this is one of the best options for you to give your car that look. 

Disadvantages of HUD 

1. It can be difficult to view the data displayed with HUD due to external factors like sunlight and glare making it difficult to drive. 

2. There are some technical limitations, as modern HUD features are not as reliable as the traditional dashboard displays, causing issues about accuracy. 

3. Integration of HUD is actually a costly process; also, buying cars with HUD can be a bit more expensive than other cars. 

4. As HUD is a new technology, it becomes inconvenient for the vehicle owners to pay for that specialized maintenance of this technology. 

Conclusion 

HUD is actually a good technology that not only solves the problem of drivers being distracted to look at traditional dashboards while driving rather than focusing on the roads, but it also gives a modern and cool look to your car. But you also need to keep in mind the cons like high installation and maintenance costs while getting a car with HUD or integrating it into your car. 

FAQs 

Q1. What type of information can a HUD display?

Ans. A car HUD can display multiple information like navigation directions, fuel levels, vehicle speed, safety warnings, media, and entertainment information. 

Q2. How does a HUD improve driving safety?

Ans. HUD displays all the critical information in the driver's line of sight, helps the driver to stay focused on the road and minimises distraction, helping to drive with full attention and awareness. 

Q3. What are the different types of HUD technologies?

Ans. There are three types of HUD technologies: windshield- Windshield projected HUD, combination-projected HUD, and smartphone-based HUD. 

Q3. Can I customise what is displayed in my HUD?

Ans. Many new car companies are giving these options where the driver can choose which information they want to display in front of them, like car speed, fuel level, etc. 

Q4. How is a HUD calibrated?

Ans. Calibration of HUD is basically about adjusting the focal distance and the projection angle to make sure it is in the same line as the driver’s line of sight.

 Q5. Is it possible to install an aftermarket HUD in my car?

Ans. You can install an aftermarket HUD in your car, but before that, the compatibility of your car model with this technology needs to be studied. 

Q6. What are the future trends for automotive HUD technology?

Ans. There are different trends emerging for automotive HUD displays, like better integration with any car model, AR capabilities, and a user-friendly calibration process.