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Land Rover Demos "Transparent Hood"

cartechboy (2660665) writes "When we were kids, we were promised flying cars in the future, like The Jetsons. Well, now it's the future, and we don't have any flying cars. But Land Rover just unveiled some crazy new technology called the Transparent Hood system. It's brilliant in its simplicity, and yet quite complex in its implementation. Using a web of camera images and projectors, the Transparent Hood system projects the area just in front of and underneath the nose of the vehicle onto a head-up display along the lower portion of the windshield. Not only is this obviously breathtaking, but when it comes to off-roading—or parking in tight urban spaces—this could change the game. It will allow drivers to see precisely what's below them and immediately in front of them allowing precise placement of the vehicle's front wheels. The system also displays key vehicle data including speed, incline, roll angle, steering position, and drive mode. People, this is the future, and the future is now."

6 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. So.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The "demo" is just a "virtual prototype in testing", also known as: CGI. What an innovative concept... not. Please get back to me once you really have something to show.

  2. Transparent bonnets by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sounds like Amish porn

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    I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
  3. Re:Transparent Bonnet by Arancaytar · · Score: 5, Funny

    Okay, okay. Don't get a bee in your hood...

    ( :-P )

  4. Good for Offroading... Offroading = mud by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The thing I don't get with these camera displays is the fact that they don't seem to have wipers on the camera, with cleaning solution.
    Snow/Salt/Mud/Dirt really collect and make visibility bad. If you are offroading then one puddle and your feature is useless.

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    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  5. Re:So... by cusco · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The only reason why this design is even seen as useful is because of the very poor ergonomic design of autobodies that has become popular the last few years. I have a 2002 Tacoma, I can see all four corners of the vehicle. With a glance I can tell within six inches of exactly where each corner of the vehicle is. We used to have a 1995 Corolla, and I could park it in any spot. My wife has a new Audi, and until recently I was driving a fairly new Corolla supplied by my employer. Hate parking those things, you can't see the corners of the vehicle so can only guess as to how far away I am from the next vehicle.

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    "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
  6. Re:So... by davester666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Finally, I can tailgate to within 6 inches of the guy in front of me. I'll get home that much faster!

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