The production version would have a much smaller projector aperture than those of the prototype and existing heads-up displays. Manual Holstein, Mercedes’ head of research for future displays, said the projector could be small enough to be hidden behind wood or metal trim. Holstein also said that you won’t hear a fan in the production model and that the resolution will improve.
The resolution is certainly considerably better than any current head-up display, including Mercedes’, which features augmented reality elements. Commercial-grade color videos of the electric C-Class were shown during the demonstration and the screen was adequately bright, although Holstein said the prototype was running at just 20 percent of its maximum brightness.
It’s not there yet
However, problems remain. The resolution may be good compared to the arrows, script and graphics of a current HUD, but it is poor compared to a passenger’s touchscreen. The video contrast was also too high, and as you can see in the photos, the image was distorted and reduced to a narrow height due to the angle of the windshield. Frankly, no one would choose to watch anything on a phone, tablet or conventional passenger screen. It needs to improve by several orders of magnitude before it becomes a viable alternative.
But again, this is just a prototype. Holstein said the size of the holographic film, or “eye box,” can be much larger and be raised higher than the height of the prototype, similar to the HUD. He also dismissed the distortion as a problem unique to the prototype.
Imagine almost half of the windshield transformed into a virtual screen visible only to the passenger. Beyond videos or other entertainment, Mercedes is considering a holographic display highlighting points of interest visible through the windshield. A similar screen could be placed on the driver’s side, displaying situational information, allowing video calls or providing entertainment when parked. In the future, it could even allow drivers to look at something other than the road when Mercedes’ Level 3 autonomous driving system allows them to take their eyes off it. At the very least, this technology could replace current HUDs and their larger projector housings.
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