Mercedes-Benz unveils holographic heads-up display using transparent film

Automakers are moving beyond standard dashboard screens to solve the problem of cluttered car interiors. Mercedes-Benz is developing a new display technology it calls a holographic heads-up display.

This system is not the sci-fi projection shown in movies. Instead, it functions as a more advanced version of the current heads-up display found in many vehicles. Traditional models project simple images directly onto the windshield glass. The new Mercedes design uses two main components to improve visibility.

The system includes a projector and a special transparent film laminated into the glass. According to Lena Hees, a development engineer at Mercedes, this film contains holographic optical elements. She described these components as super-small mirrors that selectively reflect light from the projector.

This design keeps the image visible even in direct sunlight. It also hides the image from the driver's direct line of sight when they are not looking at it. Currently, luxury cars use driver-monitoring cameras or screen polarization to prevent drivers from seeing what is playing on the passenger-side touchscreens.

The new technology aims to address the limitations of physical screens. As vehicle interiors become crowded with larger displays, manufacturers are looking for alternatives that do not require more dashboard space.

Mercedes is currently working on this display alternative. The system is designed to answer the question of what comes next in vehicle interface design.