Wednesday, 4 January, 2023 UTC


Summary

It seems like every day we're moving closer to a digital reality that, so far, has been enjoyed exclusively by the fictitious likes of Tony Stark.
At CES 2023, Samsung-owned HARMAN launched two new features that have the potential to revolutionize driving safety: Ready Vision and Ready Care.
Ready Vision uses augmented reality as well as other software and sensor tech to project images directly onto your car's windshield. Think about it like this: You're driving and instead of having to look over at your phone to get directions to Chili's, they're displayed right on the windshield à la the heads-up display in Iron Man's suit. The feature also includes 3D object detection, blind spot warnings, lane departures, and more.
Like regular driving but with AR guidance. Credit: HARMAN International
"This launch is a key component of HARMAN’s mission to enhance the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians, while cultivating transformative in-cabin experiences," Armin Prommersberger, senior vice president of product management at HARMAN International, said in a press release. "Ready Vision solves key industry challenges to driver safety by helping drivers better understand their surroundings and delivering an eyes-forward, focused journey. We are proud to offer solutions like Ready Vision that deliver meaningful experiences to consumers that make time on the road more intuitive and safer for everyone."
Ready Care doesn't use augmented reality like Ready Vision does — but that doesn't mean it's any less innovative. Instead, Ready Care combines neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to detect if a driver is distracted and then deliver a personalized response to focus them back up. To do this, HARMAN uses cameras to detect a drivers' drowsiness; sensors and monitors to detect the drivers' cognitive load; and machine learning algorithms that power tailored intervention strategies when a driver isn't attentive enough. No more falling asleep at the wheel or daydreaming your way into another drivers' lane.
No more sleeping at the wheel! Credit: HARMAN International
"Ready Care is a one-of-a-kind industry solution that is driving real impact for driver safety and well-being, and is a key part of HARMAN’s mission to deliver consumer experiences at an automotive grade," Prommersberger said in a separate release. "With its unique ability to deliver customized and personalized driver interventions via a closed-loop approach, from detections via analysis to adjusting the temperature, audio settings and vehicle lighting, Ready Care offers solutions and protective intelligence that constantly prioritizes the driver’s well-being."
According to HARMAN, both of these features have been tested and validated, and are ready to go into production this spring. That means, unlike plenty of CES launches, you might actually see Ready Care and Ready Vision out in the real world sooner rather than later.