Land Rover has unveiled Transparent Bonnet, a concept that allows drivers to see a digital vision of the terrain ahead by making the front of the car ‘virtually’ invisible.
According to Land Rover, cameras located in the vehicle’s grille capture data used to feed a Head-Up Display, effectively creating a ‘see-through’ view of the terrain through the bonnet and engine bay, thereby enhancing visual driver assistance.
The technology is said to enable a driver climbing a steep incline, or manoeuvring in a confined space, to see an augmented reality view capturing not only the terrain in front of the car but also the angle and position of the front wheels.
In a statement, Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of Research and Technology for Jaguar Land Rover said: ‘We believe the next 25 years will be the most exciting and dynamic the automotive industry has ever experienced. There will be huge strides in environmental innovation, in safety and capability.
‘As our vehicles become more capable and autonomous off-road, we will ensure the driver has the confidence to allow the car to continue to progress, over any terrain. We are developing new technologies including the Transparent Bonnet to give drivers an augmented view of reality to help them tackle anything from the toughest off-road route to the tight confines of an urban car park.’
The Discovery Vision Concept car is a design and technology showcase which will be unveiled in full at the New York International Auto Show on April 16, 2014.