What is a car HUD (Head-Up Display)?
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Head-Up Display, abbreviated as HUD, is also known as a Parallel Display System. It refers to a driver-centric, blind-operation, multi-functional dashboard. Its function is to project important driving information such as speed and navigation onto the windshield in front of the driver, allowing the driver to view crucial driving details like speed and navigation without having to look down or turn their head. The driver-centric design aims to make it more convenient for the driver to view the car's screen and operate knobs while driving. Blind operation ensures the driver can keep their eyes on the road ahead as much as possible. The multi-functional dashboard displays navigation information to minimize distractions while checking directions. The distinction between suspended HUDs and dashboard-mounted HUDs is primarily based on their mounting method. Suspended HUDs are fixed to the sun visor above the driver, which results in the HUD information being projected onto the upper area of the windshield. In contrast, dashboard-mounted HUDs are fixed on the center console in front of the driver, projecting the information onto the front area of the windshield. Both types of HUD products have their pros and cons: Advantages of suspended HUDs include higher product adaptability and relatively simple installation. The downsides are that they occupy the sun visor's functionality, may be less stable when mounted on the visor (leading to unstable projection), and project information onto the upper part of the windshield, making it difficult for the driver to view it at eye level. Dashboard-mounted HUDs offer more stable mounting, allowing for eye-level viewing. However, they also have clear disadvantages, such as noticeable heat generation from the DLP optical engine. Heat dissipation becomes a challenge, especially in summer, and solving this issue can incur additional costs. Additionally, due to significant differences in center console shapes across car models, dashboard-mounted HUDs have lower adaptability compared to suspended HUDs.