Head-up displays (HUD) were originally developed for military aviation and later adapted for use in vehicles by the automotive industry. An automotive HUD projects driving assistance information onto the real-world view seen through the windshield, enabling drivers to focus on the road rather than glancing down at the traditional dashboard. This technology typically functions by projecting onto a combiner optical element (e.g., a specialized windshield or a transparent panel designed for this purpose), allowing the driver to obtain real-time information on speed, navigation, radio settings, warning messages, and other driving-assistance information.
The primary goal of the technology is to implement augmented reality (AR), enhancing the real-world view seen through the windshield with precisely aligned virtual elements. Key challenges in AR HUD development include achieving an adequately large display size, ensuring high image quality, and accurately integrating virtual objects with the real environment.
In AR HUD development, not only optical and mechanical considerations are crucial, but human factors play a key role as well. It is essential to account for human vision and depth perception, ergonomics, and the appropriate amount of virtual content to be displayed.
The candidate will actively participate in optical display research and development at aHead Photonics Kft., playing a key role in the development of a new wide-angle AR HUD system with a particular focus on human vision and perception studies.
Targeted objectives:
- Experimental evaluation of 2D and 3D augmented reality (AR) functions.
- Ergonomic development of AR-based image display.
- Modeling the optical environment of augmented reality and developing recommendations for improving image quality and ensuring safe perception.
- Modeling and experimentally investigating eye-tracking and gaze-tracking technologies required for optimal AR implementation.
- Developing and evaluating methods to address the vergence-accommodation conflict caused by projection in augmented reality optical systems and control mechanisms.
These tasks represent complex research and development challenges that will lead to new technical and scientific advancements. The work will involve both theoretical modeling and experimental validation.
“Development of Wide-Angle Head-Up Display Technology” – Project ID: 2023-1.1.2-GYORSÍTÓSÁV 2024-00012
The ideal candidate is expected to have a high level of English proficiency, expertise in optical design, programming skills, and hands-on experience.