Imagine a road trip where your kids are not only entertained but also learning about the world around them. General Motors (GM) has recently unveiled a groundbreaking window technology designed to keep children engaged and educated during car rides. This innovative solution, developed in collaboration with the FUTURE LAB at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Israel, promises to transform the backseat experience for young passengers.
Keeping children entertained during car rides is a common challenge for parents. Boredom can lead to restlessness, which can distract the driver and pose a safety risk. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver distraction is a factor in 9% of fatal crashes involving children (NHTSA, 2020). GM recognized this issue and sought a solution that would not only entertain but also educate young passengers.
GM's research and development team presented this challenge to students at the FUTURE LAB. The result was the Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Project, an initiative inspired by psychological studies indicating that rear seat passengers often feel disconnected from their surroundings. The WOO Project aimed to create interactive rear seat windows that would reconnect children with the environment outside the vehicle.
Tom Seder, GM R&D lab group manager for human-machine interface, explained the vision: “Traditionally, the use of interactive displays in cars has been limited to the driver and front passenger, but we see an opportunity to provide a technology interface designed specifically for rear seat passengers. Advanced windows that are capable of responding to vehicle speed and location could augment real-world views with interactive enhancements to provide entertainment and educational value.”
The student developers at FUTURE LAB had the creative freedom to design a visually stunning and interactive application for vehicle windows. They developed four unique apps, each offering a different way to engage and educate young passengers.
Otto is an animated character projected over the passing scenery. Otto responds in real-time to weather conditions and the car's performance, teaching kids about their environment in an engaging manner.
Foofu allows children to finger draw on the window steam, reminiscent of an old car boredom classic. The app explores the drawings with the kids, adding an interactive twist to a familiar activity.
Spindow offers a unique experience by allowing rear passengers to see what is happening in the windows of other cars around the world in real-time. This app transforms a simple car ride into a global adventure, exposing children to different cultures and environments.
Pond enables passengers to stream and share music with others across the globe. It also allows for instant messaging, creating a social and interactive experience for young passengers.
The WOO Project utilized technology developed by EyeClick, which transforms standard window glass into a touch and gesture-sensitive surface. If mass-produced, this technology would likely incorporate "smart glass," capable of displaying variable states of transparency and projecting images. Smart glass is gaining popularity, with the global market expected to reach $7.5 billion by 2025 (Grand View Research, 2020).
Omer Tsimhoni, lab group manager for human-machine interface at GM Advanced Technical Center in Israel, emphasized the importance of projects like WOO: “Projects like WOO are invaluable because working with designers and scholars from outside of the automotive industry brings a fresh perspective to vehicle technology development. WOO is just one of many projects underway at GM that could reinvent the passenger experience in years to come.”
GM's innovative window technology represents a significant step forward in enhancing the passenger experience, particularly for children. By combining entertainment with education, the WOO Project has the potential to make car rides safer and more enjoyable for families. As this technology evolves, it could become a standard feature in vehicles, transforming the way we think about backseat entertainment.
For more information on the impact of driver distraction, visit the NHTSA website. To learn more about the smart glass market, check out the Grand View Research report.
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