Mercedes-Benz turns car glass into screens and uses the rear window to communicate with other drivers
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Mercedes-Benz is developing two new display technologies that turn a car’s glass surfaces into digital information displays. The rear window will display warnings to other road users, side windows could show animations, and navigation information or films for the passenger can be projected onto the windscreen. The most intriguing feature allows the driver and passenger to see different content on the same glass.
Rear window set to warn other road users
Mercedes-Benz engineers are developing Intelligent Display in Glass technology, which places LEDs directly between the layers of automotive glass.
The manufacturer uses Mini LED technology for larger display areas. For example, the rear window could display a braking warning, a symbol indicating a traffic hazard or other information for drivers approaching from behind.
Higher-resolution Micro LEDs are suited to smaller surfaces, including side windows, where graphics and animations can be displayed.
When the system is not operating, the LEDs integrated into the glass remain almost unnoticeable and do not significantly alter the car’s appearance.
Windscreen shows different images to driver and passenger
Even more ambitious is Holographic Display, which turns the windscreen into a large projection surface.
A projector in the dashboard directs an image onto a special transparent film integrated into the glass. Its holographic optical elements reflect selected wavelengths of light, ensuring that the image remains visible even in sunlight, according to the manufacturer.
The technology allows the image’s visibility to be restricted to specific viewing angles. This could let the driver see navigation and driving information while the passenger watches a film or takes part in a video call.
Unlike a conventional head-up display, the system is not limited to a small display area. However, Mercedes has not disclosed the display’s resolution, energy consumption or production costs.
Do more screens mean a better car?
Mercedes-Benz’s approach has two distinct aims. Warnings appearing on the rear window could improve road safety, while the windscreen projection focuses on comfort and entertainment.
The technology’s practical value nevertheless depends on how it is used. Too much visual information could instead distract road users, and additional display elements could potentially make replacing the glass more expensive.
In Europe, the manufacturer must also take into account requirements governing glass transparency, the driver’s field of vision and vehicle light signals. It is particularly important to ensure that the new warnings do not cause confusion with conventional brake lights and indicators.
As it competes with BMW and Audi’s digital cabin systems, the technology gives Mercedes an opportunity to stand out, but these remain development projects for now.
Mercedes has not confirmed when the new glass displays will reach production models, or which models will receive them. The idea is technically intriguing, but genuine progress depends on whether displays hidden in the glass make driving safer and more comfortable or simply add yet another source of digital distraction to cars.
