ANSYS BLOG
July 18, 2019
Design the Best HUD for Cars Using Simulation and Virtual Reality
Automotive head-up displays (HUDs) present data within the driver’s field of view. The best HUDs are ergonomically designed, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times.
As the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) market grows, the demand for HUDs increases.
To keep up with this demand, engineers need a fast and effective way to design, optimize and validate HUDs.
Stray light can create glare and fuzzy HUD images.
Ansys Speos provides optical simulation and virtual reality tools that facilitate HUD design. The software also delivers straightforward, intuitive development and validation workflows for optimal HUD creation.
The Optical Challenges to Designing the Best HUD for Cars
HUDs can enhance driver safety. If, however, the display information is illegible, they can actually make the road more dangerous.
As a result, engineers need to overcome a few optical challenges to deliver a HUD with clear, visible information.
For instance, stray light can create severe disturbances such as glare, visibility and readability issues. These disturbances distract drivers from the road because people tend to focus on fuzzy or washed-out images.
The best HUD for cars has a wedge angle that can be
optimized for drivers of any height.
Another consideration is how the HUD image will be affected by the location of the driver’s eyes, the mounting angle of the device and the thickness/curvature of the windshield. These variables define the HUD’s wedge angle. The optimal wedge angle will vary based on the height of the driver. Therefore, if engineers optimize the system for a wedge angle that is based on an average driver’s height, then shorter and taller drivers will see ghosting effects. To eliminate this double image, engineers need to design a HUD that can offer a clear image at variable wedge angles.
To design the best HUD for cars, engineers will need to solve these optical challenges. With Speos, engineers can optimize the optical performance early in development.
How Simulation and Virtual Reality Help Engineers Design the Best HUD for Cars
Speos simulations provide engineers with reliable, lifelike HUD models.
Using CAD models of a car’s dashboard, pillars and instrument panels, engineers can create a simulation of the driver’s perception of the HUD.
In other words, engineers can optimize the HUD without the use of physical prototypes.
Simulation simplifies the design and validation of HUDs.
The real-time optical simulation capabilities of Speos also enable engineers to test various what-if HUD designs in in a digital environment. This fast solve time helps engineers optimize the HUD, so it reaches quality targets.
Simulations from Speos can also be plugged into a virtual reality (VR) system. This allows engineers to experience their designs within an immersive digital reality, and make faster, context-driven decisions. Engineers can even test and validate the HUD on virtual test tracks by connecting their simulations to the Ansys VRXPERIENCE Driving Simulator powered by SCANeR™.
To learn more, visit Ansys Speos or watch the webinar: