Last February, BMW was reportedly developing AR (augmented
reality) device that's designed specifically for the driver so that he could
see through to the outside. Based on the rumors at that time, the device was
expected to show off in the Auto Shanghai 2015 event at the end of April 2015.
Now April has come, and Auto Shanghai 2015 event will be
held soon. BMW, through its subsidiary, Mini, provides a more detail leak: the
AR device is called Mini Augmented Vision. Mini Augmented Vision is an AR
glasses. At first glance the concept brought looks similar to Google Glass, but
this device is actually designed specifically to accommodate the needs of
navigation and car driving.
Mini Augmented Vision is the result of collaboration between
BMW and Qualcomm. BMW design house, DesignworksUSA, is appointed to work the
device’s physical, while a number of Qualcomm divisions are entrusted to work
on the sophisticated technology.
Just like Google Glass, Mini Augmented Vision will project a
number of information directly to the front of its user. The information
displayed includes the navigation data, car speed, speed limit, location info,
icon notification, and much more.
As rumored, the device user can see through to the outside
of the car, gaining strength like Superman. The X-Ray View feature of Mini
Augmented Vision will render the area outside the door, and then projecting the
virtual scenery to the user's sight, as if the car door is invisible - or it
could be other parts of the car.
Then there is also Augmented Parking feature where the image
captured by the camera in the rear-view will be displayed directly to the front
of the user, make the parking activity feels easier in diverse locations.
We still have to wait for the official disclosure of MiniAugmented Vision in the Auto Shanghai 2015 event that will be held starting on
April 22 to 29. For now, you can enjoy a number of Mini Augmented Vision
official photos, and some short demonstration videos:
