By 2030, nearly a fifth of the U.S. population will be considered elderly, and automakers are gearing up for the uptick of senior car buyers by researching new technology that will help this demographic on the road.
One of the coolest ideas GM is looking at is a windshield that would enhance a driver’s vision by utilizing infrared sensors, lasers and cameras to highlight or outline road conditions.
In the pictured example, on a foggy day the windshield outlines the road with a blue laser. The system would measure the movements of the driver’s head and eyes in order to project the laser’s path correctly. In addition, if a deer were to wander into the road, the system would detect it and alert the driver by outlining the deer before it was visible.
Cool, right?
Obviously, the cost of implementing this technology today is prohibitive, so don’t expect to see GM’s sweet new windshield anytime soon. Still, with a rapidly aging consumer base, this could well be a forecast of the way driving will change in the future.