November 7, 2018

RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc.

RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc. (President: Katsunori Nakata) has developed Automotive HUD projection unit using laser scanning technology for Automotive Human Machine Interface (HMI)*1 industry, where new innovation is demanded due to development of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology centering on sensing technology and in-vehicle electronics technology.

Automotive HUD projection unit

using laser scanning technology

Instrumented Image

HUD is a system to display vehicle information, such as speed and GPS navigation data to a windscreen. Compared to conventional GPS navigation systems, HUD helps reducing the amount of driver's eye movement, which relieves driver's fatigue and the risk of accidents caused by driver's inadequate attention. In addition to these benefits, HUD is expected to play a key role in calling for driver's attention and realization of Augmented Reality (AR)*2 technology in combination with various sensors mounted on the vehicle. To live up to these expectations, RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc., using RICOH's superior laser scanning technology achieved through the long-time development and production of copiers, and also 2-axis MEMS*3 mirror device newly developed for HUD, succeeded in developing a projection unit that enables to effectively call for driver's attention by using bright colors which do not blend in to the background.

The use of a laser scanning technology also enables higher contrast*4 and display of broader range of color*5. Laser scanning technology also has a strong point that, compared to TFT technology, even with the same luminance, it is recognized brighter.

These strong point enables to reduce the influence of postcard effect*6 which is a nuisance factor to draw driver's attention effectively and for AR expression. In addition, by using unique algorithm which takes account of driving situation and human factor, accurately transmitting important information is enabled. Furthermore, to overcome particular issues that are image quality and reliability of laser scanning technology, RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc. in-house developed a screen*7 using micro-lens technology, and 2-axis MEMS mirror device to realize high image quality and reliability*8.

Aiming to start serial production from 2020, RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc. will accelerate its activities towards productization.