RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc. has developed Automotive HUD projection unit using laser scanning technology for Automotive Human Machine Interface (HMI) industry.

The unit will be used in future Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are centering on sensing technology and in-vehicle electronics technology.

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) technology in combination with various sensors mounted on the vehicle.

RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc., using RICOH's laser scanning technology achieved through the development and production of copiers, and also 2-axis MEMS mirror device newly developed for HUD, has developed 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 (more than 10,000: 1) and display of broader range of colors (NTSC Rate: Approx. 190%). Compared to TFT technology, laser scanning technology ia also more vibrant, even at the same luminance.

These advantages enable the reduction of the influence of postcard effect, a nuisance factor that draws driver's attention. The postcard effect is a square- shaped leak light coming from the back light, seen in a TFT system, particularly in low illuminance environment.

In addition, by using algorithms which take into account the driving situation and human factor, the accurate transmission of important information is enabled.

Furthermore, to overcome issues of the laser scanning technology such as image quality and reliability , RICOH Industrial Solutions Inc. developed a screen using micro-lens technology, and a 2-axis MEMS mirror device to realize high image quality and reliability (equivalent to AEC-Q101).

Ricoh plans to start serial production of the new HUD system in 2020.