How does a heads-up display work?
Nearly all vehicle-based HUD systems use a small cathode ray tube (CRT) to project vehicle data onto a special element on the windshield. The information is typically superimposed in the lower half of the glass, which is inside the driver’s immediate line of sight. To reduce eye strain and allow faster comprehension of the information, HUD data is displayed at “infinity focus” (a focal point equal to that of the roadway in front of the vehicle). There is no need for the driver to refocus their eyes to view the HUD information. Recent advances in display technology have improved the design of most heads-up display units; many now utilize liquid crystal display (LCD) and light-emitting diode (LED) technology to offer the driver brighter images. These technologies are less expensive to manufacture, and more reliable when compared to a CRT display. What are the typical uses of a HUD? The earliest automotive HUD systems simply projected the speed of the vehicle onto the windshield in front
