As part of Land Rover's Discovery Vision Concept car at the New York International Motor Show this week, the manufacturer has unveiled technology that will allow the driver to, in effect, see through the bonnet of the 4x4 to what exact terrain lies underneath.
Cameras mounted in the vehicle's grille will capture data, which is then shown via a head-up display on the windscreen overlaying the images on the field of view normally taken up by the car's bonnet -- effectively creating a transparent view of the ground through the engine bay.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology for Jaguar Land Rover said: "We are developing new technologies, including the 'transparent bonnet', to give drivers an AR view to help them tackle anything from tough off-road routes to the tight confines of a car park."
At this time Land Rover is unable to give specific details of the cameras used for this HUD system, but if it comes to production cars it will aid a driver climbing a steep hill or manoeuvring in a confined space to see an augmented reality view capturing not only the view under the front of the car but also the angle and position of the wheels.
Being able to tell the exact wheel placement and composition of the land immediately under the car gives a significant advantage to off-road navigation.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
