Oki shows off prototype LED-based HUD, coming soon to a jalopy near you

Currently, the only way you're getting a heads-up display in your whip is if you pay two arms and a leg for it. By and large, mid-range and low-end vehicles have been completely removed from the HUD fun, but all that could be changing thanks to a new effort from the crew at Oki Digital Imaging. Said outfit recently demonstrated a LED-based alternative that measures 1.1-inches in size and is constructed using the company's own EFB (Epi Film Bonding) process. Without getting too deep in the technobabble, the newfound process consumes less power, requires a simpler heat sink and boasts an all-around simpler structure. The end result? A far less expensive heads-up display, which -- if all goes well -- will begin sampling by the end of next year and could hit low-end cars, mobile phones and other handhelds shortly thereafter. Oh future, how we love thee.

[tmarks11 Posted Nov 28th 2009 8:27AM]

now that your dreams are shattered, I guess you should just settle for a job at McDonalds.

Seriouesly, though, what does Mechanical Engineering have to do with HUD on a car? You want to be one the bleeding edge of technology, try electrical engineering/computer engineering.

[Wwhat Posted Nov 28th 2009 11:38AM]

@tmarks11
Your comment got detached from its target, you should watch the HUD before pressing fire ;)

I made a similar comment to him incidentally, this is not about mechanical engineering, but not every school has every imaginable option, and I guess as long as you learn to handle the math you can switch to more on-target subjects later with relative ease.

[JakeMG Posted Nov 28th 2009 9:50AM]

I had a HUD in my 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix. Actually was very cool. I always wondered why they stopped putting them in cars.

[Professor Kaos Posted Nov 28th 2009 10:41PM]

@JakeMG

Yea I remember that , some kid I knew with a Gran Prix GTP had it, it was cool, nothin new, just bringin it back, although maybe the older tech wasn't LED

[bigwigtickets Posted Nov 28th 2009 11:54AM]

This reminds me of a Neo Magic Pulsar slot machine. It has an amber LCD overlay on top of the spinning reals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBs9PAVkAxE

[eugeneaction Posted Nov 28th 2009 3:43PM]

@bigwigtickets DO IT! uhhhhhhh durn

[bigwigtickets Posted Nov 28th 2009 7:06PM]

@(Unverified) Lol. Wasn't my video, BTW!

[skaterdude Posted Nov 28th 2009 3:11PM]

they make this technology, just to have it made illegal. you know how many car accidents something like this is going to cause? not being negative..just logical.

[Malkmus Posted Nov 28th 2009 4:20PM]

@skaterdude

Please explain how this would cause more accidents. It's doing the same thing your GPS does, except that instead of having to look away from the windshield and down at your dash you keep your eyes on the road.

[skaterdude Posted Nov 28th 2009 5:06PM]

@Malkmus it just looks pretty distracting thats all. its obstructing your view.

[qitupx Posted Nov 28th 2009 3:41PM]

these things are cool