Audi and MIT envision the future of GPS navigation [video]

Uses the dashboard as a 3D head-up display

GPS navigation hasn't changed very much in the past decade, but things could get a lot more interesting if this demo is any indication.

Created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in collaboration with Audi, the AIDA (Affective Intelligent Driving Agent) is a conceptual navigation system that uses the car's dashboard as a 3D head-up display. While this would probably prove too distracting for production, the system also incorporates the ability to program destinations via hand gestures.

Source: Smart Planet via Gizmodo

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eddie

GPS will really be great when it can also keep tabs on other cars approaching intersections or possibly going through a stop sign.

May 5, 2011 1:07 pm

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CarLife

This takes texting to a whole new level. Hands off the steering wheel distracted driving

May 5, 2011 1:48 pm

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shaahinmt

how can dash be 3d?? dose anyone know how this would work??

May 5, 2011 2:54 pm

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D12NAB

anything can be 3D, just cover one half of your windscreen with red film, the other half with blue film, you'll be amazed at how realistic everything looks!!

May 6, 2011 12:00 am

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o3n1k

its innovative but its stupid! there wuld be a lot more accidents this way. go audi!!!

May 5, 2011 3:59 pm

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2 replies

bordeauxman1

I agree. The driver will be hypnosis by the GPS who is not enough easy.

May 5, 2011 7:13 pm

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trevtremaine

You're right o3n1k - while watching the video, it was easy to become immersed in the distractions provided by the GPS. I assume that this demo was more to do with showing an innovation as opposed to an actual test drive with the system active. Still, as suggested by eddie something that would be handy would be to be alerted to intersection issues as well as upcoming emergency vehicles. The downside is much like what Tom-Tom is going through - selling the data to government who can use the data to prosecute as opposed to actually developing a safer driving environment. My car has a heads up display with navigation and I have to say I don't feel it's a distraction partially because it's minimalistic in it's display of information and limited to only 3-5 colours.

May 6, 2011 6:14 am

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Hellbound

I thought a mini projector projected the image onto the dash board from above....and cameras tracked the hand gestures. I don't think there was more information there than on your Tom Tom, just as long as the interaction was solely kept to a minimum whilst the car was in motion. For example, you can't make a dinner reservation while doing 80mph. Although, voice commands would solve all of that.

May 5, 2011 6:06 pm

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bavar

it's a typical Audi presentation. Everything's cool and 3D and flashy and lots of effects... But actually, it's nonsense.

May 6, 2011 7:14 am

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Siawa

This is distracting and somewhat annoying. Keep it within Dashboard, not all over your hood.

May 6, 2011 8:02 am

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