General Motors has filed a patent application for an augmented reality (AR) windshield that automatically dims to protect drivers from glare from oncoming headlights.
First discovered by Motor1, the application was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and published on January 17, 2023. She describes a slew of additional hardware, including an AR heads-up display, sensors to detect the amount of light shining on the windshield, and smart glass that can electrically adjust the amount of light falling through the windshield .
General Motors augmented reality head-up display patent image
If the sensors detect that the light shining in the direction of the driver exceeds a certain threshold, a certain section of the windscreen is darkened to prevent the driver from being blinded. The system detects the position of the driver’s eyes, the position of the vehicle causing the glare, and darkens part of the windshield to protect the driver. It also creates an image of the vehicle in question on the windshield in the correct position.
This type of system could be a good defense against other drivers forgetting to turn off their high beams, although the proliferation of automatic high beams in new cars will make this less of an issue over time.
Auto-dimming mirrors are also a common feature in new cars today, but the idea set forth in this patent application goes one step further. Current auto-dimming mirrors dim across their entire surface rather than targeting a specific area of glare.
General Motors augmented reality head-up display patent image
AR technology means the auto-dimming feature could also be integrated with other features, like the AR navigation systems available in some Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. These systems project arrows onto the head-up displays (as well as the center touchscreen) to guide the driver to make turns. Cadillac also has AR, but it’s shown on the digital instrument cluster instead of the head-up display.
As with other recent GM patents, including anti-motion sickness technology for autonomous vehicles and dual charging ports for electric vehicles, the auto-dimming AR windshield is not guaranteed to go into production. Automakers often patent ideas with no solid plans to commercialize them, so time will tell if this feature appears in future GM vehicles.
