A Futuristic Wearable Driving Assistance System

Unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, MINI Augmented Vision is a pair of dedicated glasses that enhance reality with digital information. This system, which works in conjunction with the car's onboard computer, applies augmented reality (AR) technology to overlay digitally processed data onto the driver's field of vision.

AR's unique capabilities, which overlap virtual information onto the real world, include navigation that guides the driver by drawing routes on the actual road, information displays for facilities like vacant parking spaces, and an X-ray view that visualizes areas normally obscured by A-pillars or doors by supplementing with camera feeds.

As a wearable device, it also features functions such as displaying an icon in the corner of the glasses and reading out SMS and messages when they arrive, and assisting with parallel parking by displaying the camera feed from the passenger-side mirror within the glasses to prevent collisions with the curb.

Functions such as setting navigation destinations via remote control from outside the vehicle, guiding the way on foot to the destination before or after exiting the car, and displaying the current speed or the detected speed limit are already realized through MINI Connected and the head-up display in current models. By integrating these into a wearable device, the convenience is further enhanced.

The exterior design of MINI Augmented Vision shares the same design values as the car, with its design and color concept developed by Designworks, a BMW Group company. System development is being carried out in collaboration with a Qualcomm Group company.