Hologram-based Navigation
Hyundai Motor began to develop an augmented reality (AR) navigation program using hologram.
Hyundai said on September 19 that the company would strategically invest in the Swiss hologram company Wayray and develop an AR navigation system using holograms with the company. Hyundai plans to load the AR navigation system which the carmaker will develop in cooperation with Wayray into mass-produced cars after 2020.
Hologram is a technology used in scenes of sci-fi films where a person in a distant place talks as if he or she was nearby as a three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image. A vehicle hologram can be projected directly onto a stand-up head-up display (HUD) or front glass of a car as a stereoscopic image. The hologram is a clearer image than one shown on a conventional HUD and an entire front window can be used as a display.
When the navigation system is applied to a real vehicle, the system displays a wide variety of information such as driving directions, speed and speed limits, distances to road junctions, recommended driving routes, crossings and danger warnings among others. Thus, a driver is able to drive the car while facing forward without turning his or her head.
In addition, Hyundai Motor expects the group to expand its use of hologram technology in the field of wearable robots where the company is focusing on developing capabilities as a new growth engine. To this end, we plan to take leadership in future innovation technologies by participating with core affiliates such as Hyundai MnSoft and Hyundai Mobis in cooperation with Wayray.
"Wayray is a company with outstanding expertise in the field of hologram AR display system development. Collaboration between Hyundai Motor and Wayray can be diversely utilized in smart cities and smart buildings pursued by Hyundai Motor in the long term," said Ji Young-jo, vice president of Hyundai Motor's Strategic Technology Division.
In the meantime, Hyundai is actively collaborating with a wide array of Korean and foreign AI and ICT companies including not only Korean companies such as Kakao, SK and KT but SoundHound in the US and Baidu in China in order to develop smart cars which are next-generation cars.