JLR's transparent pillar, Follow-Me navigation technologies

British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed two new technologies, which it claims will reduce the potential for accidents.

The first of the two is the transparent pillar technology, dubbed as '360 Virtual Urban Windscreen' is said to give the driver a 360-degree view out of the vehicle, uninterrupted by the A, B and C-pillars of the car. A screen is embedded in the surface of each pillar inside the car which takes a live video feed from cameras covering the angles outside the car that are usually obscured in the blind spots created by the A, B and C-pillars.

By combining the transparent pillars with a heads-up display, the movement of other road users are highlighted to the driver with an on-screen halo moving across the car's virtual windscreen. When the driver indicates to change direction or when he moves his head to look over their shoulder during an overtake manoeuvre, or as the vehicle approaches a junction, the system automatically makes the left or right-hand side pillars transparent. The 360 Virtual Urban Windscreen can be connected to the Cloud which would enable it to present information ranging from petrol station prices to the number of parking spaces available. Jaguar claims that it would also enhance navigation by advising the driver to turn left or right at more visible landmarks rather than just road signs or street names. 

JLR's second new technology is called 'Follow-Me Ghost Car navigation'. In this, an image of a vehicle is projected in front of the driver's car for him to to follow to his destination.

These technologies, Jaguar claims, will enable drivers to keep their eyes on the road and in the process, reduce the chances of accidents.