GM’s car windows give opportunity to interact with the world

The Concept:

Windows of Opportunity (WOO) is set to change the way people, especially children, react when asked to sit on the back seat. Developed by the researchers of Future Lab at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Israel for the General Motors (GM), it is a new rear seat entertainment technology which aims to convert the rear car windows into interactive interfaces for entertainment and education. According to GM, the new technology would allow the production of advanced car windows that can respond to vehicle speed, location and augment real world views with the help of multiple interactive enhancements in real time. There are various similarities of this concept with Toyota's Window to the World concept and Autoglass' Vision 2020. Both of these concepts are applying augmented reality technology for converting car windows into interactive interfaces to provide vital road information to the drivers. However, there is a difference as well. The WOO concept specifically aims to transform the traveling experience of rear seat passengers. As such, it would actually open up a window for entertainment and engagement through various applications discussed below.

GM's Windows of Opportunity

The inspiration:

GM's WOO project is inspired by several psychological studies conducted over the years. These studies have repeatedly shown that people in the backseat often feel disconnected from their environment. It has been acknowledged that devices like DVD players and many hand-held consoles are slowly becoming outdated. It is time for new mobility solutions that would change the human-car relationship forever by providing ample opportunities for entertainment, learning and engagement while traveling.

The Design:

WOO is still under production. During a demonstration, the researchers applied motion and optical sensor technology developed by the EyeClick for converting window glass into a multi-touch and gesture sensitive surface. They displayed a complete set of applications on a functional prototype of rear passenger seat and side window. However, according to GM, electronically charged smart glass technology would be used for making the windows for commercial production. Such windows would have variable translucence and transparency. Also, they would be able to reflect the projected images. At present, the “smart glass” technology is mostly used in architectural and display applications in movies. The most recent example of its use was in the movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

The fabulous:

The use of interactive displays in cars is not an entirely new phenomenon. However, it is mostly restricted for drivers and front seat passengers. There is not much scope of entertainment for back-seat passengers, other than DVD players, handheld video games etc. WOO concept would change all of these practices.

At present, developers at the Bezalel Academy have produced four different applications for the WOO project. The first, Otto is an animated character projected over the passing scenery. It responds to the real-time car movement, performance and landscape. The researchers say it would help rear seat passengers learn about their environment in the most playful way. The second, Foofu is a drawing application that allows rear seat passengers to draw on the windows with their fingers. The third, Spindow allows rear seat passengers to have a glimpse of the car windows of other people around the world in real time. The last, Pond is a music streaming and sharing application. It allows the passengers to share music with other cars on the road, download favorite music and also share messages.

The Target:

GM has announced no plans for starting the commercial production of this technology. One may expect it to start anytime soon in future. Some apprehensions about its possible drawbacks have been raised by many commentators. They say it might divert the attention of drivers and cause accidents. However, it might be appealing to many businessmen and professionals who spend a lot of time in traveling. Families may also opt for this technology to provide an enjoyable ride for their children.

Related Trends:

1. Toyota’s Window to the world

Window to the world

Toyota's Window to the World vehicle concept is also aimed at transforming car windows into interactive interfaces. It is based on the augmented reality technology which will allow window glasses to provide information about landmarks and other objects that come on the way. Toyota Motor Europe (TME) and the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) have collaborated for developing this concept. At present, the designers have developed five applications for the Window to the World project. These include drawing in motion, zooming into captured moments in time, translating the world in a local language, augmented distances and virtual constellations. The augmented distances application allows pointing a landmark in the distance and then augmenting the relative distance to the car on the window surface. The Virtual Constellations concept displays virtual constellations on the car's panoramic roof while using the actual sky as a background.

2. Autoglass vision 2020

Autoglass Vision 2020

As a part of its vision 2020, Autoglass is developing intelligent car windscreens that can interact with the driver. In other words, the new technology would make the windscreens a forum for information sharing. This technology is also based on the augmented reality technology which allows adding virtual elements to a real life image or situation with the help of electronic devices. The augmented reality concept has already been successfully used in smartphones and now the car makers are using it to develop different drive assistance technologies like collision avoidance, lane departure and sign recognition systems. According to Autoglass, the new technology would make it possible to display key information about speed, fuel and other equipments on the windscreen. Also, it will provide real-time visual information about the places and hazards by combining augmented reality with visual sensors, online maps and GPS systems.