Road-projection type car lighting is much in the news these days, but now come Ford with an idea to go the other direction—up, instead of down. A recent patent application suggest they’re looking into holographic projection for vehicles. The idea is to spray a water mist upward, and project a hologram on it so the vehicle can be identified at a distance, for example in a dark or stormy car park.
The patent filing says it pertains to a holographic projection system and method for a vehicle: “It has been recognised that there is a need for a holographic projection system and method for a vehicle, which can help vehicle users find their vehicle easily, especially in the case of cloudy, night or other low light conditions”.
The system comprises a projector—perhaps atop the vehicle or at the leading edge of the hood—and water mist device on the vehicle, and an ECU to trigger the system when its key gets close enough. Different water sources are proposed, such as rain collection and air conditioning condensate.
