Following General Motors and Mazda’s lead, MINI now has a head-up display. Similar to the Mazda3 2.5’s head-up system, which has a small glass plate placed in between the steering wheel and windshield as a display, the focal-point is much closer to the driver than the GM setup.
Other safety enhancements include: a safe-distance cruise control, automatic headlight dimmer control (high-beam to low-beam automatically), parking assist and a memory based speed-limit warning system. Combined, these driver/safety enhancements should greatly assist a driver’s ability to drive in a secure environment. Is it too much tech? Will these enhancements become a distraction?
Check out the 2014 Mazda3 2.5 with head-up display (here).
“The MINI head-up display helps the driver concentrate on what is happening on the road by displaying relevant information right in the driver’s line of vision. This can be seen quickly and conveniently without having to take your eyes off the road. The collision warning and pedestrian warning systems, including city braking function make it easier to avoid dangerous situations, particularly in city traffic. The MINI parking assist feature offers maximum comfort in searching for and using parking spaces, while the reversing camera gives drivers a better view when maneuvering.
Other innovations in the driver assist systems for MINI include the video-based speed and distance control which automatically keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and the speed limit information system, which detects and displays speed limits as they apply to the current section of road. This system is supplemented by the no passing display and traffic sign memory functions. The digital headlight assist function contributes to optimum visual conditions when driving at night. This system helps the driver use the full range of headlight functions. Oncoming traffic and preceding vehicles are registered by a camera, while automatic switching to dimmed headlights avoids causing a nuisance for other drivers.” – – MINI Media
It seems like a good idea, but The Fast Lane Car will have to wait an intremindable amount of time before we can sample the newest MINI and this safety system.
Check out this fun video review of the MINI Roadster!
Here’s a note about MINI’s parent company, BMW, regarding their safety history.
When it comes to the development and configuration of new driver assist systems, MINI exploits the BMW Groups’ worldwide leadership in innovation in this area. Networking technology has been used for the targeted exchange of information between driver, vehicle and the outside world for more than 40 years. Innovations like the radar-based distance warning device (1972), the world’s first on-board computer with exterior temperature display (1980), the first navigation system fully integrated in the vehicle from a European manufacturer (1994) and first Emergency Call system, still unique to this day, first introduced in 1997, are among the milestones set by the company in this area. As early as 2007, interface technology for integrating the Apple iPhone in the MINI operating system was introduced. Since 2011, additional online-based functions can be integrated in the MINI Connected package with the help of apps.
