General Motors – parent company of Chevrolet, Hummer, Cadillac among others – wants to enhance driving experience by introducing auto dimming windshield that use Augmented Reality technology.
According to the patent application – filed under US 11,557,234 B1 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), published on January 17th, 2023 – the windshield uses a system that incorporates an augmented reality head-up display and transparent windshield with smart glass. It also makes use of sensors to detect and identify headlights from oncoming vehicles and other bright light sources.
According to the patent, if the sensors detect that light shining in the direction of the driver is above a certain threshold, a specific section of the windshield will dim to keep the driver from being blinded. The system detects the position of the driver’s eyes, the position of the vehicle creating the glare, and dims a portion of the windshield to protect the driver. It also creates an image of the offending vehicle on the windshield in the proper position
Use cases where this technology could be helpful include getting blinded by an oncoming vehicle on a high beam setting, or maybe an SUV/truck with higher than usual placement of headlamps.
Auto-dimming mirrors are also a common feature in new cars today, but the idea laid out in this patent application takes the idea a step further. Current auto-dimming mirrors dim across their entire surface, rather than targeting a specific area of glare.