CAR /
MOTOR SHOW
January 5, 2015
The Discovery Vision Concept, Packed with the Latest Technology | Land Rover
Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept
Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept
Discovery Vision Concept Packed with the Latest Technology
Jaguar Land Roverpartially unveiled in advancethe "Discovery Vision Concept," at the New York Auto Showannounced. It is not merely a concept for the next-generation Discovery, but an ambitious creation that incorporates Land Rover's future design strategy and future technologies.
Text by HORIGUCHI Yoshihiro（OPENERS）
A Future Car Harnessing AR Technology
At the New York Auto Show, the "Discovery Vision Concept," a study model leading to the next-generation Discovery, was unveiled.
Its exterior, with features such as a roof treated to appear one step higher at the rear, carries the unmistakable DNA of the Discovery, while moving away from the current angular styling towards a more modern Land Rover aesthetic, akin to the "Evoque" and "Range Rover Sport."DiscoveryWhile the exterior is a realistic evolution of the current model, the concept car, true to its nature, is packed with cutting-edge, ambitious technologies.
The slim upper and lower headlights employ LED laser lights. These provide natural brightness close to daylight, illuminating up to 300 meters ahead, ensuring optimal visibility even at night. If the vehicle approaches a car ahead or oncoming traffic, a high-resolution camera system is used to selectively dim the lights to low beams, preventing glare for the driver.
The glass surfaces on the front, sides, and roof, which appear unremarkable at first glance, function as displays called "Smart Glass." This enables augmented reality (AR), a form of virtual reality where digital information is overlaid onto the actual view seen through the glass.
For example, navigation can be displayed on the actual view of the front windshield, or additional information such as names and explanations can be added to the scenery visible through the windows. The feature we reported on recently, allowing views of the road and tire conditions through the bonnetis one such application.
Since all windows are displays, they can also show images other than the outside scenery. By displaying dark colors, they can function as privacy glass with adjustable transparency. The roof window can also display preferred images, much like a computer screensaver.
In addition, it features the latest HMI (Human Machine Interface) with gesture control. This allows for the operation of door and tailgate opening/closing, audio systems, interior light brightness, and even lights and turn signals through arm and finger movements. Consequently, the doors lack handles, contributing to a minimalist design.
With fully automatic doors, electric side steps that automatically deploy from within the sills are also incorporated, enhancing ease of entry and exit.
Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept
Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept
Discovery Vision Concept Packed with the Latest Technology (2)
Air and Land Brands, United by Adventure, Join Forces
"Remote Control Drive" allows the vehicle to be moved slowly via a tablet from outside the car. This enables, for example, safely navigating rough terrain by visually confirming conditions from outside. It also offers benefits such as passing through gates without automatic opening: the driver can exit, open the gate, then remotely move the car forward and close the gate, all without re-entering the vehicle.
Additionally, it is equipped with "Laser Terrain Scanning," which reads the terrain using infrared radar embedded in the fog lamps and visually displays the conditions on the center display; "Laser Reference," which uses laser LED lights to project the vehicle's passable path onto the road or walls in different colors; and an advanced "Terrain Response" system.
The seats, which are normally arranged for 7 occupants in 3 rows, can be configured in various ways, similar to a minivan. Each seatback includes a monitor for gesture control, as well as pop-up hangers, trays, and tablet docks. Removable travel luggage is integrated into the inner door panels.
The Discovery Vision Concept was unveiled the day before the New York Auto Show, aboard a decommissioned aircraft carrier moored on the Hudson River. At the unveiling event, it was showcased alongside Virgin Galactic's "SpaceShipTwo," the world's first commercial passenger spacecraft. It was also announced that the air and land brands, sharing the common keyword of "adventure," have joined forces and established a global partnership.
Furthermore, at the New York Auto Show venue, Gerry McGovern, Jaguar Land Rover's Design Director,announced that the "Discovery Sport" will be the first in the family to arrive in 2015.