Mercedes-Benz SplitView Has Double the Information

Mercedes-Benz, in its never-ending quest to offer more comfort at any price, has developed a multitasking GPS display screen. Dubbed SplitView, the 8-inch display is programmed to transmit two different images — one for the driver, one for the front passenger — at once.

It’s pretty technical, but the short version is that the screen uses a masking filter so that when viewed from different angles, different images appear.

For instance, the driver can access climate information or directions while the front passenger watches a DVD or TV show. Mercedes says it’s aware of the distractions this may cause, so passengers watching TV can use headphones and a remote control to limit driver irritation.

SplitView will be available on the S-Class starting in the summer of 2009.