DETROIT, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Augmented reality: Major United
States television networks have used it to highlight the first down marker
stretching in a yellow line across the width of a football field for the
benefit of viewers tuned into football games. Now, Siemens VDO Automotive is
taking augmented reality to another level of sophistication for use in future
vehicle navigation systems.
Siemens VDO Automotive, a leading global supplier of navigation and
telematics systems, is presenting a video demonstration of an actual driving
experience using augmented reality navigation this week. The video
presentation can be viewed at the Siemens VDO Automotive exhibit (#1009) of
the international automotive electronics conference, Convergence 2002, in
Detroit.
Still a few years from market introduction, the Siemens VDO Automotive
augmented reality navigation technique -- developed together with Siemens
Corporate Technology in Munich, Germany -- will be able to overlay navigation
instructions onto a video image of the real road. This visual guide will
further improve a driver's orientation in complex traffic situations.
Siemens VDO Automotive and parent company, Siemens AG, scientists and
engineers are designing the new augmented reality navigation system in an
attempt to improve the human machine interface (HMI) and reduce distractions
to the driver, particularly during highly distractive driving situations, such
as in cities.
Augmented reality literally means "expanded reality" and represents the
initiative to fuse real world and computer-created virtual images in a
simultaneous display. This is precisely what Siemens VDO engineers are
developing for future navigation systems. On a vehicle's designated
navigation display, a driver would see computer-added guidance indications,
much like a 3-D arrow, on a camera-produced image of the actual surroundings.
The display monitor will show the driver the world from the same point of view
as he or she sees it from the driver's seat. There will no longer be a need
to translate what is seen through the windshield to the information displayed
on a conventional navigation display screen.
Creating augmented reality involves recording in real-time the actual
traffic situation with a video camera positioned behind the interior rearview
mirror. Data collected from the vehicle's position is overlaid with the
route. This is accomplished with a graphics processor, which produces the
real-time imaging. This process involves very complex computing algorithms,
which will require more development time before the system is ready for
market.
Millions of drivers today already benefit from the comfort and convenience
of navigation systems in their vehicles. In Europe, long distance trips are
aided by dynamic navigation per Traffic Message Channels (TMC) to avoid
bottlenecks caused by construction and accidents, while the U.S. is moving
toward standards for similar TMC services. Augmented reality is a solution
being developed in today's Siemens' laboratories for future navigation
systems.
Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive
electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering
gasoline and diesel powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body
electronics and interior and infotainment. Worldwide sales reflecting partial
fiscal year 2000/2001 totaled $5.6 billion.
On Jan. 1, 2002, Siemens Automotive Corp. and VDO North America merged to
form Siemens VDO Automotive in the United States. For more information, visit
http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com .
Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), headquartered in Munich, is a leading global
electronics and engineering company. It employs more than 450,000 people in
193 countries and reported worldwide sales in excess of $72.7 billion in
fiscal 2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01).
The United States is Siemens' largest market, with 77,000 employees and
sales of more than $18.9 billion in fiscal 2001. Siemens is a leading
provider of advanced technology solutions in the information and
communications, medical, power, automation and control, transportation and
lighting sectors, and leverages its global network of innovation and
unparalleled technological heritage to deliver business results for Siemens'
customers around the globe. For more information about Siemens in the U.S.,
go to http://www.usa.siemens.com .
SOURCE Siemens VDO Automotive
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Related links:
http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com
CONTACT:
David Ladd of Siemens VDO Automotive,
+1-248-209-5822, or david.ladd@siemens.com
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