STUDENT Oliver Brunt’s design for an information-packed vehicle windscreen has scooped a national motor industry award.
The Northumbria University student’s concept is for a car windscreen which displays driver information, directions and road conditions.
Oliver, 21, a design for industry student, competed against 12 finalists in the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award 2011 – an annual competition which aims to identify, support and develop automotive talent of the future.
The concept uses the 3G phone network and Bluetooth to enable cars to share information about speed, direction and location in order to give other road users prior knowledge of incoming traffic and accident hotspots.
Information is displayed on the windscreen, rather than as a potentially distracting dashboard alert, using Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology sandwiched between the windscreen glass panels to display information on the screen.
Satnav instructions would appear directly on the windscreen with speed zone information highlighted. Music players or mobile phone calling facilitators would be activated via voice command.
The aim is to ensure drivers do not have to take their eyes away from the road at any point in their journey, thus improving safety.
Oliver’s award includes £7,500 in prize money and five months’ work experience with the award sponsors, McLaren Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Peugeot and Skoda. Speaking at the awards, Oliver said: “I’m overwhelmed. The competition has and will change my life. I am inspired to make every second count for the great opportunity this competition as afforded me.”
The announcement was made at the annual Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders dinner in London. Autocar Editor in Chief Steve Cropley said: “Oliver’s idea is really impressive and something that we as judges could see going the distance into production. I shall be following his career with interest. “
Kevin Gaskell, chairman of Courland International Automotive Practice, said: “Oliver possesses all the skills necessary to be successful in whichever career he chooses.”
