NANOWEB® Dimmable Frit
NANOWEB® | Electrochromic Dimmable Windows
At CES 2023, META demonstrated the NANOWEB® Electrochromic “Dimming” lens to outstanding critical acclaim. I worked with META to illustrate how this application could enhance future automotive “Pillar to Pillar” HUD experiences.
Client
Meta Materials Inc.
Service
3D Vis.
What Is NANOWEB®?
NANOWEB® is a conductive film made of a metal mesh. This metal mesh is made up of nano-thin metal wires; so thin that the film appears transparent.
What are Pillar-to-Pillar HUDs?
Pillar-to-Pillar HUDs are an array of short-throw projectors that display content across the entire windshield.
The Problem with Pillar-to-Pillar HUDs
“To date, head-up displays that project the display into the windshield have not been able to match the resolution and richness of information provided by conventional vehicle displays." - Continental Head-up Display Across Entire Windshield Enables New Cockpit Design
Daytime driving poses a challenge for HUDs due to ambient brightness. Automakers have found a workaround using "Daylight Bright" super-bright projectors. These come with drawbacks, including high power consumption, overheating, and cost. There's been talk of a solution in the form of a black solid Enamel Frit laminated onto the windshield onto which HUDs are projected, but these create safety hazards by obscuring part of the windshield.
META's Dimmable Frit offers safety benefits over a Solid Enamel Frit.
Imagine driving down the road and suddenly, your car alerts you of a small road hazard that you would have missed otherwise. When paired with front-facing ADAS auto sensors, that's exactly what META's Dimmable Frit can do. By detecting smaller, closer road hazards like pets and debris, the car could instantly switch both the display and frit clear, providing a better view of hazards and helping avoid accidents.
Low Light Benefits
Superbright HUDs can be overwhelming while driving at night.
With META's Dimmable Frit, you can effectively "dump" light out of the windshield by turning off the frit, eliminating the need to operate LED projectors at a very dim level - something that is difficult and costly to do.
Adaptive Dimmable Frit
META’s Pillar-to-Pillar Dimmable Frit reacts simultaneously with changes in the HUD interface, including UI adjustments to display height or width.
Furthermore, with the use of short-throw tracked projector modules, drivers can easily customize the HUD/Frit settings through voice commands.
These innovations provide vehicle designers with a range of new design options to explore.
Auto Response Dimmable Sunvisor and Windows
META's innovative "Dimmable Frit" technology can extend to the side and upper areas of the windshield as well, providing a dynamic sun visor that works in harmony with vehicle sensors.
Meanwhile, Meta's dimmable windows automatically adjust to keep your passengers and car cool. With programmable settings, dimmable windows can stay on while the vehicle is parked. It's all about creating an ideal driving experience.
