Head-Up Display (HUD)

Abstract

Head-Up Display (HUD) units project information from the instrument panel to the front of the windshield so the driver can maintain focus on the road. The pro- jected image usually appears to hover over the hood of the vehicle, a distance close to where the driver is already focused. This might be why this acces- sory is offered not only as a “high-tech” gadget, but also a safety feature. Adapted from military aircraft technol- ogy, HUD units were first introduced to the automotive industry in the late 1980s. Examples of the first vehicles to offer this feature include the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the Pontiac Grand Prix. Because of lim- ited daytime visibility, bulkiness, and the high amount of energy required to power the units, popularity quickly faded with early models. Advancements in technology and public demand for safety features may be why HUD is making a comeback. New illumination processes consume less energy and pro- duce brighter images that remain visible in direct sunlight.