Navdy: The brains behind the “Google Glass for cars.”
Smartphones were never intended to be used while driving, yet 55% of people admit they do just that — and I don’t blame them.
Smartphones are more than just phones, they are also our personal assistant, media player, digital camera, GPS navigation unit, e-book reader, web browser, and the main communication device we use to get in touch with everyone we know. With all these features available in one portable device, the convenience of using it while driving cannot be denied despite being a potential risk for getting into an accident. And while smartphone manufacturers are adamantly developing new ways (like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) to integrate mobile devices into vehicles, this still requires drivers to take their eyes off the road. Fortunately, there is now a safe solution for using our smartphone while driving that also happens to be very futuristic.
Navdy, a San Francisco-based technology firm with ties to the highly-acclaimed Highway 1 Incubator program, has just unveiled the world’s first Heads-Up Display (HUD) that’s compatible with any vehicle built after 1996. The company is touting their device as the “Google Glass for your car” and believes it will create a safer, highly intuitive driving experience.
“Touchscreen-based apps force you to take your eyes off the road. So we started by completely rethinking what the experience of using apps behind the wheel should be like. Navdy is built from the ground up to be the safest and most intuitive way to make calls, use navigation, listen to music or access notifications without ever looking away from the road.”
–Doug Simpson, Navdy Co-Founder and CEO
The display technology behind Navdy’s HUD is very advanced when compared to the on-board computers readily available for today’s automobiles. The Navdy HUD is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones and functions as an extension of all the apps you already have installed on your device. Unlike other “hands-free” setups, the Navdy HUD actually features touch-less gestures that allow you to use it without turning knobs, pressing buttons or touching screens. It also fully integrates Google Voice and Siri so you can ask Navdy to “compose new tweet”, “write new text” or “call mom” by simply speaking.
Navdy HUD Features
- Advanced Display Technology: Projects a transparent image directly within your field of view that appears to float six feet in front of your windshield so you can maintain your focus on the road while viewing navigation instructions, incoming calls, speed, etc. It’s the same technology used by airline pilots to keep their eyes on the runway while landing an airplane.
- Works in Any Car: The device can be mounted on any car dashboard, and is powered by plugging in to the onboard computer (OBD II port), available in all cars produced since 1996.
- Intuitive Touch-Less Gesture and Voice Controls: You never need to look away from the road while using the Navdy HUD. Glance-able apps are controlled with intuitive touch-less hand gestures, while voice recognition lets you ask for directions. Navdy’s noise-cancellation technology and wide-angle gesture sensors are specifically designed to create an optimal driving experience.
- All the Apps You Need: The Navdy HUD works with navigation apps such as Google Maps for turn by turn directions, and music apps such as Spotify, Pandora, iTunes Music and Google Play Music. The Navdy HUD can read aloud or display notifications from text messages or social media apps, subject to Parental Control settings. Navdy is compatible with iPhone (iOS 7+) and Android (4.3+) smartphones.
- Integrated With Your Car: The Navdy HUD links to your car and is able to display information such as your speed, RPM, miles-to-empty, fuel economy stats, tire-pressure warning or battery-voltage warning from the car’s computer, all presented on your windshield within your field of view.
- Tuned for the Driver: Critical information like turn-by-turn directions and your speed do not disappear when a phone call comes in. Instead, your navigation app disappears to the background. The information you need, when you need it, is always present and clearly within your field of view.
As our culture becomes more dependent on smartphones to perform everyday tasks, figuring out safe solutions for using them while driving has never been more imperative. Navdy’s HUD is advantageous in accomplishing this mission because it’s not only intuitive, but also fun. Similar to Google Glass, Navdy seems like it can revolutionize the way we interact with our smartphones and could be the device that catapults the automobile industry into the first generation of “smart cars.”
With self-driving vehicles looming on the horizon, complete smartphone integration will create an autonomous method of using technology while we’re inside a car. If successful, there will be no distractions, no accidents, and no problems. But until that day comes, it will be companies like Navdy who pave the road for a safer commute.
The Navdy HUD is currently available for pre-order and costs $299 – 40% off its 2015 retail price.
Do you think HUD’s will make the cars of the future safer?
