Millions of drivers already appreciate the comfort of today’s modern navigation systems. The dynamic navigation from the TMC (Traffic Message Channel) aids drivers on long distance journeys, by helping to avoid traffic jams. It is no longer necessary to follow a route on a map, or to look for directions. The position and the route are constantly shown on the monitor of the navigation system, and a voice punctually announces changes of direction. Above all, Siemens VDO and Siemens Corporate Technology are working on “Augmented Reality” in order to make complicated traffic situations more comfortable.

In Information Technology, “Augmented Reality” represents the possibility to fusion real and virtual, computer-generated pictures at the same time. Siemens Engineers may use this technology in a future navigation systems. On the navigation display, camera-produced pictures of the surrounding area could incorporate instructions on direction – in the form of three dimensional arrows for example. On the monitor, the driver sees the world, and the road ahead, from the same point of view as it is seen from the driver’s seat. The “conversion” of abstract maps is no longer applicable.

The basic idea of “Augmented Reality” was formed quite simply: the actual traffic situation is filmed by a video camera mounted, for example, in the area of the interior rear-view mirror. The images are overlaid with data about the vehicle’s position and the route. This is undertaken by a graphic processor. As this process involves many complex calculations, it will require a few more years of development at Siemens VDO before the system is ready. The developers then hope to integrate the new concept in it a human machine interface.

Siemens VDO Automotive sees the “Augmented Reality” project as proof of its leading role in navigation technology. This position is supported by the close cooperation between the specialists from Siemens VDO and the basic researchers of Siemens Corporate Technology.

 

I think this sounds very promising.

 

To get there.. it's like 10 years at least...
Baby steps are to be taken first:
1) What so called intelligent HW
2) Integration between cars and road... Active traffic management.
3) Assited Auto-Pilot... minimun distance between cars and Active Accident Avoidance,...
etc..

 

Pretty soon we won't be driving our cars. Lane Keepers (LAKAS or what ever it is on the JDM Accord), Distronic, stability controls, and now this. Sheesh.

 

nashua your thinking too far ahead.

navigation systems which can compensate for traffic problems are here now.


we already have a highway system which is constantly monitored and traffic problems are broadcasted over the air...

 

I really want to know why everyone is obsessed with navigation systems. I refused to pay $2000 extra for the one offered on this CL, knowing I would never use it. I know every road that I drive and I drive an average of 100 miles a day. If I don't know how to get somewhere, I get directions from a map or online. I feel the same way with TV/DVD systems in cars. People are getting so damn lazy, just letting their lives and their kids be taken over by all the crap that is on the TV. It's annoying as hell to drive at night and be distracted by that monstrous SUVs with the little TV glowing at you, even with their tinted windows. There were sure as hell no TVs and navis in my familiy's cars when I was a little kid and we got along just fine without them. It seems like it is much more of a status-symbol than an actual useful tool.

 

navigation owns jo0.

 

navi screen is amazing...I would never buy a car w/o it since I used it in my moms TL.

 

NAVI is not for people who always drive on streets they know. Around Chicago, though, there's a bazillion streets, some one-way, and some that may go for miles, then stop, only to pick up again somewhere else. If you don't know where you're going, it can be difficult to get somewhere, especially if you didn't grow up in the area. If I have to go somewhere I've never been it's an enormous help, especially if I miss a turn.

Refering to a map while driving city streets is, at best, dangerous. Having the system tell you that you need to turn in 1/4 mile without you having to take your eyes off the road is, IMHO, far better. I got the NAVI to use it, not show it off.

Hot Rum, while I agree in spirit about TV/DVD systems in cars, you should have stopped before you mentioned the words "status symbol". What's more of a status symbol? A $1000 entertainment system in a $25,000 mini van or a $30,000 car?

 

Oh, forgot to mention....

I'd much rather see the "augmented reality" implemented with HUD technology rather than have to look down at the NAVI screen. Displaying transparent directions in my normal field of vision would be the best.

Speaking of.....I saw something listed in, I think, a car magazine (C&D???) about BMW and others' experimentation with an "active" reflector system for headlights. Among the benefits are having headlights "bend" around curves and (get this) painting turn indicators on the pavement ahead of you. In other words, your NAVI would be linked to the headlights, and a dark arrow would appear in your headlight cone on the pavement to tell you when to turn.

Of course, it only works at night, but it's still a pretty cool idea.

 

Eh our highway system blowz. Take a look at the system in Germany.

 

 

you know you wanted the navi

 

Ya Downtown LA has a billion one way streets but we've managed for decades without a navi. While you have a point with the status symbol....what's more of a status symbol....shelling out an extra $10k for the same car as ours, just with a BMW badge?
for the amount of horsepower (i considered a stang GT) + japanese reliability...I can't find anything that's a better VALUE....our car is more value than status symbol. that's why the car magazines don't love the cl.

 

that "augmented reality" is going to take a decent amount of computer power to be anywhere near real-time

 

Decades? So you've lived there a while then? Perhaps you didn't read, but I'm not from Chicago. I just live in the area now, and that's only been since 1994. Until recently, I haven't really had to go many places within the city itself. I'm not talking about downtown, per se, but rather the sprawl, both within the city limits and the suburbs. It's been a great help to me, especially when I have to go to multiple sites in one day. Not knowing the area well, I can program up to 5 locations and have the NAVI plot the best course from one to the next to the next. That saves me time, aggrevation and gas. Nice.

Do I absolutely need it? No, of course not. I also don't need heated leather seats, 260 HP, 6-disc in-dash AM/FM stereo system w/6 speakers, close ratio 6-speed manual tranny, automatic climate control, etc. But guess what. They're nice to have. The NAVI is apparently not for you, but others just might find it to be somewhat more useful than your perceptions. And, just weeks before I bought my car, I had to go somewhere I had been but from a different direction. MapQuest's directions were faulty because of recently redone exits. So, instead of turning left and going about a mile to my destination, I went right, per directions, and went MILES out of my way before turning around and heading back. While our NAVI would also have old information, it would also know that I was going the wrong way and recompute my route for me.

Yes, our cars are a great value for the money, no argument there. As owners of CLs, we know this very well. But the Acura line, like Lexus, Infinity and others, are considered to be luxury cars by the general population and their parent companies. As such, they carry the implicit label of "status symbol". Sorry, but that's the truth. Most people don't look at an Acura and say, "You know, that car is really a great value for the money." No, it's more likely that they say "Gee, I wish I could afford a new car like that some day."

Say what you want about value, it's still a status symbol in the perceptions of most people.

BTW, they're putting NAVI systems in lower-end cars now (Pontiac Vibe comes to mind), so the NAVI itself is becoming less of a status symbol or "rich boy's toy" than it was.

 

No way. I've been on the highways in Germany, Belgium, Holland...all over Europe. Including Italy. Nice. But small. If we only had a state or two to cover in the US, ours would be just as nice if not nicer. But we have the entire US to cover.

Just like we have the finest Air Traffic Highway system, the US highways are some of the finest in the World. And the Interstate system IS the finest in the world. The roads are well marked, well-numbered system, and there's a healty choice. Having driven on the highway in 49 states (and I'm not kidding about this, all of I5/10 from Jax to San Diego, all of 95 from Key West to Maine, all of I35 from Duluth to Mexico, the entire length of I70 and I80 east and west, the entire Alaska Highway system, etc), I know for a fact our roads are the finest without a doubt. Ur, except for the state of PA. In Europe, if you want to go someplace, you only have 1 or 2 ways to choose. And IMO, the roads are NOT well marked.

FWIW, I think the highways in WY, AZ, FL, parts of IL, GA, and DC/VA/MD area have been IMO the best roads.

We need complex future navigation systems in the US. And they need it in Europe too.