????數十年來，汽車廠商一直在研究擋風玻璃顯示器，這主要是受到戰斗機所使用的視覺投射技術的啟發，這種技術使飛行員可以一邊盯著天空，一邊查看速度和方向等關鍵數據。

????如今，擋風玻璃顯示器已經被越來越多地應用在凱迪拉克、梅塞德斯奔馳和寶馬等高端汽車品牌上。駕駛員無需低頭看速度表，一個懸浮在視線前方的全息顯示窗口就可以直接顯示當前的車速。

????人們對駕駛分心問題的愈發重視，也為一家名叫Navdy的公司提供了商機，這家公司的擋風玻璃顯示器產品很快就要上市了。這款設備安裝在汽車的儀表盤上，可以管理短信、消息、來電和其它智能手機功能，使駕駛員的雙眼始終盯著路面。Navdy公司的設備可以無線連接到用戶的手機上，與傳統的中控臺顯示屏和那種安裝在方向盤上方的顯示屏相比，它擁有獨特的優勢，因為傳統的顯示屏總是有讓人分心的可能。

????今年10月初，據科技媒體TechCrunch報道，舊金山的Navdy公司已經從消費者那里獲得了價值240萬美元的設備訂單，用來測試初步需求。該設備的單個售價為299美元，因此這筆訂單也就意味著8000臺設備。該公司表示，該設備的售價將上調至499美元。該公司官網稱，這款設備將于“2015年年初”開始出貨。

????擋風玻璃顯示器最重要的功能是顯示屏似乎是懸浮在前方的。另外Navdy公司還增加了一項功能，使駕駛員通過一個“手勢”，就可以回復電話或短信，而無需按鍵或滑動觸屏。該公司還表示，該設備也將兼容蘋果的Siri功能。

????Navdy的聯合創始人兼CEO道格?辛普森對TechCrunch表示，該公司在收到消費者的訂單前，已經籌集到650萬美元的種子資本。

????他表示：“很多反饋都集中在人們想在該設備上看到哪些應用，以及他們喜歡哪些導航應用。比如在歐洲，添加具有離線地圖功能的導航應用是非常重要的，因為它可以避免跨國出行的漫游費。另外，我們也聽到一些人說，他們希望這款設備能整合人們在車里做的所有事情。”

????信息娛樂功能和數碼創新已經迅速成為汽車業的核心賣點之一。特別是很多年輕消費者往往更著重汽車的通訊和音樂功能，而不是車身大小、動力或燃油經濟性這些傳統賣點。那些難以推出消費者覺得滿意和好用的信息娛樂系統的汽車制造商，往往獲得第三方質量評價機構的差評。

????本月初，福特公司宣布將更換軟件開發商，并將推出一款名叫Sync 3的新型信息娛樂系統。原始版本的Sync系統推出后惡評如潮，同時也受到第三方評估機構的蔑視。一位福特的發言人表示，福特目前還未在旗下任何車型上提供擋風玻璃顯示器系統。

????但隨著消費者開始青睞Navdy的產品，福特和其他汽車廠商無疑會緊密關注這一動態。一旦它成為有車一族廣泛使用的擴展設備，這項技術就將很快出現在更多車型上，甚至有望成為一種標配。（財富中文網）

????譯者：樸成奎

????Automakers have tinkered with heads-up displays (HUDs) for decades, intrigued by the visual projection technology used in fighter jets that allows pilots to track vital data, such as speed and direction, while keeping eyes on the sky.

????HUDs increasingly are found in premium vehicle models such as those made by Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. No need for a driver to look down at the speedometer when a floating hologram in front of her eyes tells how fast the car is going.

????The rising alarm over distracted driving opened the door for a startup, Navdy, which is about to ship its after-market HUD to customers. The device sits on the dashboard and manages texts, messages, calls and other cellphone traffic while the driver keeps looking at the road. Navdy’s hardware, which links wirelessly to a cellphone, seems to offer distinct advantages over screens in mid-dashboard or above the steering column – which distract attention from the road.

????In early October, TechCrunch reported that San Francisco-based Navdy had taken “pre-orders” for $2.4 million worth of devices from consumers to test initial demand, implying about 8,000 orders at the published price of $299. The company says the device’s price will rise to $499. Shipments begin “in early 2015,” according to the company’s website.

????HUD’s most important feature is that the display appears to float on the horizon. To this, Navdy adds the ability for driver to control reply and other responses to texts and calls with a “gesture” of the hand, instead of touching a screen or turning a dial. Voice controls such as Apple’s Siri also will be compatible, the company says.

????Navdy’s co-founder and chief executive Doug Simpson told TechCrunch the company had raised $6.5 million of seed capital prior to receiving consumer orders.

????“A lot of [the feedback] has been around what applications people want to see on the device, what navigation apps they prefer,” he said. “So in Europe, for example, adding navigation that has offline maps for avoiding roaming fees as people travel from country-to-country is important. Also, we’re hearing that people really want this device to be the center of everything they do in the car.”

????Infotainment features and digital innovations have rapidly become key selling points for vehicles, especially among younger consumers who often care more about how they’ll communicate and listen to music while driving than the size of the engine or the fuel efficiency rating. Automakers that have struggled to offer infotainment systems which consumers find easy and pleasant to use have watched third-party quality ratings suffer.

????Earlier this month, Ford Motor Co. F 0.45% announced it was switching software developers and introducing Sync 3, a new infotainment system. Its original Sync system was widely criticized and initially received poor ratings. A Ford spokesman said the company currently doesn’t offer its own HUD system on any of its models.

????But Ford and other automakers no doubt will keep a close eye on consumer uptake of Navdy’s product. In the event that it becomes a popular add-on for drivers, the technology soon could be available as an option or come standard on more new vehicles.