Android Auto will project your journeys onto your glasses, an unexpected feature is in the works

Google wants to transform the way journeys are displayed in cars. A new feature spotted in Android Auto suggests that smart glasses could soon replace the central screen. A discreet but promising development that aims to limit distractions while driving.

While Google has just publicly presented its first Android XR glasses, a breakthrough that follows this is emerging on the Android Auto side. The onboard system used by millions of motorists could soon be integrated into smart glasses. The goal: to display GPS directions directly in front of the eyes, without going through the dashboard screen. A feature that could completely transform the use of navigation in cars, especially for older vehicles.

Lines of code spotted in version 14.2.151544 of Android Auto reveal an option called “Glasses”. There is a setting called “Start navigation to launch glasses”. A version translated into Hindi even specifies that navigation will be visible “on connected glasses”. This suggests that the system will be able to send Google Maps instructions directly to the glasses' integrated display. This feature is still in the testing phase, with no official launch date.

Android Auto is about to display navigation instructions in the field of vision via smart glasses

The idea is simple: replace traditional glances at the car's screen with visible instructions in real time, in the driver's field of vision. This could reduce moments of inattention while driving and make navigation more natural. This type of solution is reminiscent of the head-up displays found on some premium models, but here in a much more universal format, compatible with any car equipped with Android Auto.

For now, Google has not specified which glasses models would be compatible. It is possible that the technology will be based on future Android XR or on partnerships with other brands. Development is still in the experimental stage, but this integration clearly shows that smart glasses are at the heart of the company's future projects. A feature which could well become a new standard for connected navigation.

Source: Android Authority