86 as warnings and infotainment directly in the driver’s field of vision, they need to take their eyes off the road less often. In the case of future-oriented AR HUDs, it is no longer just static information that is projected directly onto the road from the driver’s perspective, but also contact-analog information. In this way, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) such as distance and lane-keeping assistants can respond dynamically to what is happening in traffic and, for instance, immediately display potential sources of danger. Compared to classic head-down displays such as an analog or digital instrument panel with static information, this increases driving safety in two ways. “HUDs are like any other technology: the more functionalities are mapped, the greater the demands on testing,” says Sebastian Hensle, Group Manager Optical Systems at ARRK Engineering. “Especially in the context of new, larger HUDs or display content that is projected in the so-called black area of the windshield, for example, it is necessary to measure the entire windshield, which our previous test bench was simply unable to do.” In turn, windshield test benches already available on the market were not able to demonstrate the high measurement accuracy required by OEMs for complex HUD systems. A test bench that could meet the strict specifications for full-surface measurement first had to be designed. In search of a development partner for this mammoth project, ARRK Engineering turned to automation specialist GEFASOFT in 2020. Flexibly customizable and expandable for new HUD generations “We chose GEFASOFT as our project partner for two main reasons,” explains Hensle. Head-up displays Keeping up with the HUDs of the future: High-precision HUD test bench measures head-up displays fully automatically Manufacturer-independent measurements for different vehicle types By Dr. Aline Schmitt, Marketing/Public Relations Officer at ARRK Engineering Nowadays, hardly any vehicle manufacturer does without an integrated head-up display (HUD) in new models. And for good reason: the new systems have been proven to increase road safety and are regarded as pioneering. However, HUDs also come with a number of challenges that can have a disruptive effect on driving performance. For example, the indicators can be difficult to read in strong sunlight or poor illumination, while incorrect settings can even dazzle or significantly distract the driver. Comprehensive test series are required to rule out such problems in advance. OEMs must either rely on the results from suppliers or invest heavily in their own test benches. Many existing test benches on the market use old measurement methods. Their accuracy and measurement diversity no longer meet the requirements of new technological developments, which is why lengthy comparative measurements are required. In collaboration with the test bench specialist GEFASOFT, ARRK Engineering has therefore developed a new high-precision HUD test bench, onto which the entire windshield can be clamped. This means that even pioneering HUD technologies, which are increasingly being developed by OEMs, can be measured. Regardless of the manufacturer, various optical properties can be recorded fully automatically and much more precisely than ever before with a high degree of repeatability, as confirmed by a measurement capability test. When the industry gathered at the IAA Mobility in Munich in 2023, augmented reality head-up displays (AR HUD) were one of the hot topics. In contrast to just a few years ago, HUDs are no longer considered a cost-intensive “gimmick”, but have become an integral part of the driver assistance systems of new vehicle models or, for some manufacturers, will even be the main display system in vehicles in the future. By displaying relevant information such as speed and navigation as well Images: © ARRK Engineering With the new test bench, pioneering systems such as the panoramic HUD increasingly being developed by OEMs can be tested.
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