3-D Cluster with Switchable Lens

Previously, other approaches included using multiple LCDs, which lacked the optical characteristics and transmittance to achieve acceptable backlight power levels required for automotive displays.

​Visteon has been working on next-generation of 3D solutions based on lenticular array technology – a combination of miniature lenses placed in front of the LCD and precisely aligned with the TFT pixels. The blending of these micro-lenses and certain sophisticated video processing procedures creates the 3D effect for the driver. Visteon’s cluster precisely tracks the position of the driver’s eyes. Video processing algorithms generate left-eye and right-eye views, while the micro-lens array directs each view toward the corresponding driver’s eye.

Semi-autonomous vehicles of the near future will already have integrated cameras to monitor the driver’s attention and state. Therefore, eye position information will be readily available for the 3D viewing system – at no additional system cost.

Research shows that a small minority of people cannot detect 3D images, and the technology is not suitable for everyone. Visteon’s engineers also developed this technology with a switchable lens – allowing the software to switch from 3D to the native 2D resolution under certain conditions.