Heads-up displays (HUDs) tend to be better than traditional GPS devices because HUDs allow users to keep their eyes straight on the road in front of them while getting navigation and other useful information. A HUD display pops up directly in front of the driver, over the windshield, but doesn’t block the driver’s ability to see the road.
Frizon is a HUD with a transparent, Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED) screen. It auto starts with the car engine and responds to hand gestures and through speech recognition to control the radio, answer the phone and perform other car functions. Users can see all the car’s gauges on the screen without having to look away to the dashboard.
The device also accurately keeps a record of driving data that can be accessed via the companion app for Android and iOS mobile devices. Data tracked includes average speed driven, maximum speed driven, times of rapid acceleration and deceleration, and time speeding to help the driver better understand and improve driving habits. Frizon ships in March at $469. But Indiegogo backers have been able to get one for a pledge starting at $249 for early birds. Its makers hope to raise $50,000 by Aug. 16.
There have been many HUDs before this, including Carloudy and Exploride. Frizon seems to have a leg up on at least some rival products because it promises a clear screen even in the sun or dark of night, and it also features a hi-fi module for better sound quality.