JLR Shows Transparent Roof Pillars, “Ghost Car” Navigation

Jaguar Land Rover is researching technologies that would enable drivers to "see" through their cars' roof pillars and help them navigate urban streets by following a phantom vehicle ahead.

JLR's "360 virtual urban windscreen" study embeds contoured video screens in a vehicle's A-, B- and C-pillars. The screens receive live video feeds from external cameras that show objects otherwise obscured by the front, side and rear roof pillars.

The appropriate display switches on as drivers signal a turn, glance to one side or look over their shoulders at vehicles in adjoining lanes. The system is paired with an advanced head-up display covering the entire windshield that draws attention to pedestrians and other objects entering the edges of the driver's forward field of view.

JLR's "follow-me ghost car" navigation system is based on the idea that the best way to navigate to a destination is to follow someone who knows the route. The technology projects a translucent image of a vehicle labeled "follow me" in the lane ahead. The driver then follows the ghost car turn by turn to the destination.

Researchers note that the ghost-car system would enable drivers to successfully navigate tricky city streets without having to look for street signs. Click HERE to see a video demonstration.