HUD(Head-Up Display) is a system to display vehicle information, such as speed and GPS navigation data onto the windscreen. Compared to conventional GPS navigation systems, HUD reduces the amount of driver’s eye movement, which leads to relieve driver’s fatigue. This also reduces the risk of accidents caused by drivers taking their eyes off the road.
In addition to these benefits, HUD is expected to play a key role in calling driver’s attentions by connecting with various sensors mounted on the vehicle, and to realize Augmented Reality (AR)*1 technology.
To live up to these increased expectations, RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc., using RICOH’s laser scanning technology achieved through development and production of copy machines, and also 2-axis MEMS*2 mirror device newly developed for Automotive HUD (Figure 1), succeeded in developing a Projection unit that enables to effectively call driver’s attention by using bright colors which do not blend in to the background.
Figure 1
The use of a laser scanning technology also enables higher contrast*3 and display of broader range of color*4 (Figure 2). Laser also has a characteristic that, compared to TFT technology, even with the same luminance, it is recognized brighter.
These characteristics enables to reduce the influence of postcard effect*5 which is a nuisance factor to draw attention effectively, and for AR expression. In addition, by using unique algorithm which takes account of driving situation and human factor, accurate transmission of important information is enabled.
Figure 2
Furthermore, to overcome particular issues that are image quality and reliability of laser scanning technology, RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc. in-house developed a screen using micro-lens technology (Figure 3), and 2-axis MEMS mirror device to realize high image quality and reliability*6.
Aiming to start serial production from 2020, RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc. will accelerate its activities towards productization.
Figure 3
*1 AR(Augmented Reality) : A technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view.
*2 MEMS(Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) : A technology that combines tiny electronic and mechanical parts to create systems with moving parts on a scale ranging from microns to a millimeter, typically using silicon or silicon-based fabrication methods.
*3 More than 10,000 : 1
*4 Compared to NTSC : Approx. 190%
*5 A square shape leak light from the back light, seen in a TFT system, particularly in low illuminance environment.
*6 Reliability Level : Equivalent to AEC-Q101