MINI's Augmented Vision shows the future with augmented reality eyewear

MINI is revealing the shape of things to come at the Auto Shanghai show with a pioneering innovation. "MINI Augmented Vision gives an insight into how intelligent connectivity between a MINI car and eyewear into which relevant content is projected might work in the future," explained Dr. Jorg Preissinger, Project Manager MINI Augmented Vision, BMW Group research and technology. "Working with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic MINI design that revolutionise the experience both in and outside the vehicle. This prototype with its customised, interactive functions succeeds in fusing augmented reality with the brand’s trademark sense of lifestyle."

Using see-through technology, the AR eyewear shows relevant information in the driver's direct field of vision but without concealing other road users, thereby serving to increase safety and comfort while driving.

Some highlighted functions that will be projected into the field of view with MINI Augmented Vision include, destination entry for navigation and transfer to vehicle, head-up display functions where display of speed and speed limits, etc. appear in the eyewear so the information is in the driver's primary field of view, with data always shown in same place above steering wheel to make sure that no road users are concealed from sight.

The eyewear can also project a virtual view through parts of the vehicle (such as A-pillars and doors) serves to render external areas or objects concealed by the car visible. Parking can also be made easier by projecting the images from a camera housed in the (farside) mirror into the eyewear. This way, the distance from the curb can be clearly and easily ascertained.