Continental, HERE And Leia Jointly Create 3D Automotive Navigation

The companies have created a joint demonstrator and plan to work with vehicle manufacturers to bring this solution into the next generation of vehicles.

To help support safer driving, Continental, HERE and Leia Inc have partnered to bring three-dimensional navigation into display solutions for vehicle cockpits.

By this, the companies are jointly providing an important component for a safe and intuitive in-vehicle user experience with a wow factor, Continental said in a release.

HERE’s 3D depiction of buildings and topography is displayed with Leia’s Lightfield technology. The joint solution allows for the visualization of 3D maps without the need for adaptive eyewear or an eye-tracking sensor. The Lightfield technology even makes the 3D effect visible from various angles. Thus, driver and passengers alike can see the 3D graphics.

“3D display technology not only brings a new wow factor into the vehicle cockpit but with the right content, it also creates a more intuitive interaction between driver and vehicle and thus enhances driving safety,” says Ulrich Lüders, head of strategy and portfolio at Continental’s business unit Human Machine Interface.

“As we see this especially for 3D navigation, I am very happy that we can contribute to a better UX and safer driving environment by bringing together HERE’s premium map content and Leia’s Lightfield software with our expertise in automotive human-machine interface solutions.”

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Various studies on traffic safety show that driver distraction is among the main reasons for traffic crashes worldwide. In the U.S., distracted driving caused more than 2,800 fatalities in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.

Continental says that it is critical to work toward intuitive UX solutions that provide drivers with the content and functions they are looking for and therefore support greater driving safety while minimizing distraction in the vehicle cockpit.

“Especially in complex driving scenarios such as city traffic, it can be a real challenge for many drivers to follow navigation instructions and at the same time maneuver safely,” says Ulrich Lüders.

Thanks to the correct spatial reproduction of the real world offered by the 3D solution from Continental, HERE and Leia Inc, drivers are able to grasp the necessary information quicker, better orient themselves and stay more attentive to the driving task.

The content enabling this solution comes from HERE Premier 3D Cities, consisting of HERE’s premium map content and highly detailed 3D representations of 75 global city centers that are fully interactive and customizable. Each building is indexed and accurate in terms of physical location, volume, elevation and façade color.

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3D terrain models also provide elevations for representative depictions of a city’s layout. Detailed 3D landmarks are included within the coverage of each city and are integrated into the 3D terrain, as well as the various styles of the surrounding buildings.

Based on Continental’s Natural 3D Display, Leia’s Lightfield technology and HERE’s 3D map content, the companies have created a joint demonstrator and plan to work with vehicle manufacturers to bring this solution into the next generation of vehicles.