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  HeadUp Display

HUD

Heads-Up Display Prototype

by: Muhammad, Abdul, Rehnuma, Malik & Stanley (Game of Code)

Distracted driving and other human factors are the most prominent causes of vehicle accidents. Our idea is to look at ways to reduce the number of distractions drivers have to encounter.

Distractions can come from many sources. Drivers take their hands off the steering wheel and gaze off of the road when fiddling with the climate control system of the vehicle. The same thing happens when they are trying to change the station on the radio or looking for a specific song on their music player. Many vehicles allow drivers to change their GPS settings while driving or look for points of interests. This is a task that requires a significant amount of time and is very distracting.

Other human factors must also be considered when dealing the issue of driver distraction. Many drivers talk on the phone while they are driving, without the use of a hands-free device. A lot of drivers like to check their text messages and emails while driving, some also text or email back. Road conditions can change and if the driver is not listening to a news station, he/she may not realize they must change their driving style. Drivers also get confused when they look at unfamiliar road signs, this also causes drivers to look away from the road and may cause them to lose focus on driving as they are focusing on figuring out what road sign it is.

Many people think the best solution to driver distraction and human factors of accidents is to make driver-free cars. But this solution is a long time away as the technology, both hardware and software, required for this is very new and is still in the testing phase. New laws would have to be introduced about how to deal with the new technology. And public trust would have to be gained about the safety of these vehicles.

Our idea is to implement a more driver-friendly interface and display. We would like to find a way to reduce the number of times drivers have to take their eyes of the road. But also, when they do have to look away, it is only for a brief moment. We also want to find a way to incorporate many of the technologies drivers use on a day to day basis. Using some of these technologies and services is illegal in many places while driving, but drivers still use them. Incorporating these technologies and services into the vehicle will allow the driver to stay focused on the road.

We also want to find a way to provide the driver with a real-time feedback to reduce human factors for vehicle accidents. The feedback can be about current and changing road conditions, current and future traffic conditions and changing weather. The system can also warn drivers if they are tailgating someone, if another vehicle is in an adjacent lane or if any driving warnings have been issued for the road up ahead.

The opportunity is to introduce a system where drivers can still use many of services they enjoy on a daily basis, but in a safe manner. They can receive useful information about their driving and road conditions and adapt to be safer. And they can be less distracted while driving so their attention is more focused on the task at hand.

Built With

• c++
• qt