Visteon Readies Flexible HUD Systems

Visteon Corp. says its new “combiner” head-up display technology will be introduced in production vehicles from several carmakers in Asia and Europe later this year and in 2017. The company also has a contract with an unnamed customer in the U.S. and is in discussions with several others regarding applications in the region.

Unlike traditional HUDs, which project information and images onto a vehicle’s windshield, so-called combiner HUDs project onto a separate transparent screen mounted on top of the instrument panel.

The system allows for more design flexibility and customization, according to Visteon, which describes the technology as an industry first. The combiner screen, which can retract or fold down when the engine is turned off, acts as a lens and a reflector to reduce optical complexity. Performance is said to be comparable to that of a windshield-based HUD.

The base price of a combiner unit is about the same as a traditional HUD with similar performance specifications. But because the combiner system doesn’t have to conform to the shape of a vehicle’s windshield, it can be used across multiple vehicles, thus enabling larger production volumes and lower manufacturing costs. It also can be easier and less expensive to produce windshields for combiner HUDs than for traditional HUDs, Visteon says.

The supplier demonstrated four different versions of the technology with varying performance levels earlier this month at the Beijing auto show. In addition, Visteon says it’s developing next-generation systems that including virtual imaging, backlighting and “opto-mechanical" design capabilities, as well as kinematics system integration to enhance optical quality and overall robustness.

Visteon expects HUD installations to grow at an annual rate of more than 20% in coming years as costs come down and drivers become more familiar with the technology. View a video of the new combiner HUDs here.