Latest Tech for HUD Development

Hey everyone,

I thought it was time that a new HUD thread be opened, as the older two and almost dead, and I want this thread to focus on new technologies on the horizon. For instance, no one on the forum has mentioned using newest projectors available, those being the new laser-based pico projectors from Microvision and AXXA.

As I understand the current state of affairs, full color HUDs are not really feasible, because the requirement to back-light and LCD causes too much picture loss and distortion as the image reaches the windshield. Well, pico-projectors do not suffer from that problem. They also allow infinite focusing, which I remember one poster noting as an advantageous system for HUDs.

So, how about it? Can we get all the big thinkers back in this thread discussing this?

Lastly, I would like any source referenced to be included in your posts. The last two HUD threads made it very difficult to track down the films that people were talking about.

Pico Projectors for Sale
Amazon

Leading Companies Developing Pico Projectors
Microvision
AXXA
Optoma
Light Blue Optics (no products available at this time)

Pico Projector Enthusiast Sites
PicoProjector
PicoProjector-Info

HUD Projects
EHUD

HUD-related Useful Technologies
Electrochromic Glass

Excellent, glad to see the HUD has come back to life!!!

I was just going through a box of old carPC stuff this morning, and found a few of Nitemaxx cameras, CCD boards and IR boards, the monitors and lenses we were experimenting with, all kinds of notes, formulas, etc. What timing, huh?

Personally, I decided to go a different route and was able to get a factory thermal NV camera out of a 2002 Cadillac Deville, as well as the hud, wiring harnesses, interior panels, switches, even the grille! Since I had an 02 Deville, and the panels were the same color, I figured easy install and instant NV. There is a thread on here about my follies I think

As always, the few hours I needed to install this crap never were available, and I just sold that car a few weeks ago, without all the NV stuff of course. ;)

My new goal is to now put the NV camera behind the grille of my 2006 Escalade. Since the camera just sends out a composite signal, any basic projector or monitor will work.

I have sucessfully used 2 of these pico projectors (borrowed from friends, not too long ago) for a few trial runs on some ideas. They seem to work great, if you can accept the limitations they have by nature and don't get your hopes up TOO high yet.

My first test was projecting an image on the windshield exactly where the HUD would be from under the top of the dash. I can't remember which projectors we used, but IIRC, it was the top end AXXA laser $600.00 one, and the other escapes me...it angled, cinnamon or something?

The Escalade windshield is as flat as a board there, so no major ghosting or film was needed. Some film would help to crisp up the image, but for NV and deer and pedestrians, etc, that transparent look is perfect.

The other test I did was for the PC image. I have a piece of some back-projection trade show panels, and mounted / calibrated a USB TS to it. Worked perfectly, and was bright enough for gov't work, but would be a little tough in the car as-is. I put it down by where the clock is on the Escalade, similar to this pic by Nexon just today http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabr...e-73-pics.html ;)

If it was up higher, and in a shadow...maybe. The other concern is the throw. These need to be farther back than you think for a 7" or 8" image, the shorter the throw smaller the image. For a HUD you may need to get mirrors involved, which works too.

I will follow this thread and help when I can, GL to all!

On a different note, for some interesting reading, check out this EHUD http://sites.google.com/site/ehudv2/ I spoke the the guy who made it via e-mail a few times, nice job on this project.

Another note, EC Glass (electrochromic glass) technology is getting cheaper and in the hands of modders too. Might be a nice alternative to film, expecially in small sizes. Info here http://www.sage-ec.com/pages/faqs.html

TO THE FUTURE!!!

Updated 1st post with information from post #2.

has any one used there phone as a hud? -androud and iphone both have apps for this.

Q; why not use a monitor rather then a projector? -its not bright enough to be seen in daylight, you will get this image double or echo since the monitor will be displayed on the inside and the out side of the windshield.

ok so here is what i had in mind.
1. monitor
i have a 10" touchscreen that the touch part stoped working. so take the backlight off the lcd and make my own led backlight. i ran some numbers and i have settled on 10mm 0.5W 290,000mcd and useing 247 of them will give me 20634.9mcd output. sunlight readable? -mostly...

the led backlight needs to be dimming so it doesnt blind you at night. what i had in mighd would be using a frionbrain to PWM drive the backlight and a photosensor on the dash so it auto dims. (i have never used the FB so i wouldnt know how to go about programing it to do this)

i talked to some guys at an auto glass shop and i was told that the hud windshields have a coating on them so it doesnt give that double image and i would do the same thing if i put a thin clear plastic(screen protector) on the inside of the windshield.

so what do you think guys am i on the right track?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....the Evo 4G has HDMI out adapter, and this projector http://www.aaxatech.com/products/m2_micro_projector.htm has HDMI in. It would be feasible to treat a small part of the windshield with film so that the desired image is produced. I'd primarily be concerned about the longevity of the bulb.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....the Evo 4G has HDMI out adapter, and this projector http://www.aaxatech.com/products/m2_micro_projector.htm has HDMI in. It would be feasible to treat a small part of the windshield with film so that the desired image is produced. I'd primarily be concerned about the longevity of the bulb.

---

Its led, so about forever.

My bad.

Anyways, one of my directors had instructed me to pick up a mini-projector, so I just picked up the M2. We can see in the next week or so....just have to figure out how to justify the Evo HDMI out that I'll need ;) *lol*

I did it the same way, at least on a test bench. :)

I have the Cinamin Swivel and the Axaa L1 laser, both pico projectors. http://www.aaxatech.com/products/l1_..._projector.htm

The swivel is cool because it bends 90 degrees, so it is easier to fit up in the dash, but they are both so small either will do the job in the Escalade.

I hooked it up the the Droid X, which also has HDMI out using a mini-hdmi to VGA adapter off e-bay (about 10 bucks outta hong kong).

Next step is to put all the components in the truck, and as soon as it warms up a little I will post the results.

One think to watch is the "throw" which is how far away the glass is from the projector. Shorter distance = smaller image, but that can be doubled using a mirror.

Stay tuned!

Excellent! Can't wait for the pics :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by quantum

I did it the same way, at least on a test bench. :)

I have the Cinamin Swivel and the Axaa L1 laser, both pico projectors. http://www.aaxatech.com/products/l1_..._projector.htm

The swivel is cool because it bends 90 degrees, so it is easier to fit up in the dash, but they are both so small either will do the job in the Escalade.

I hooked it up the the Droid X, which also has HDMI out using a mini-hdmi to VGA adapter off e-bay (about 10 bucks outta hong kong).

Next step is to put all the components in the truck, and as soon as it warms up a little I will post the results.

One think to watch is the "throw" which is how far away the glass is from the projector. Shorter distance = smaller image, but that can be doubled using a mirror.

Stay tuned!

---

Most definitely. I have to see this. As much as I started the thread, I have not had time, nor money, to mess around with it. Have you experimented with wash-out from the sunlight, yet? I've hear that pico-projectors have a bit of a problem with that.

Also, let me ask you about this. I have a 3000GT and have highly considered replacing the instrument cluster with a Pico. Basically, just a pitch-black background, with dimentions of the projection being the width and height of the entire opening, and then projecting (via PC) an image that fits in the cluster area, since, I assume, that the Pico simply doesn't project when there are black spots.

Here is a pic of the cluster:
http://supercar-engineering.com/rubb...w/DSC00026.jpg

What'cha think?