Augmented Reality in the Vehicle Cockpit AR Deluxe: Xpeng And Huawei Surprise With Joint HUD Development

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HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES Deutschland GmbH

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Is this the future of the dashboard? Xpeng and Huawei have jointly transformed the entire windshield into an "AR-HUD." It not only displays the "usual suspects" like speed and navigation arrows but also a whole range of new safety information that HUDs have not yet known.

The new head-up display (HUD) is called "Light Chaser Panorama" and is the result of a surprising collaboration, even for industry insiders, between the Chinese automaker Xpeng and Huawei. Both companies compete in various fields and have not always been on good terms in the past, but now they apparently want to demonstrate that even leading technology companies in China can still benefit from joint efforts.

At their joint presentation of the new product, Xpeng and Huawei showcased impressive videos in which the system displays clearly visible information across the entire width of the windshield, without the usual teething problems of HUDs such as flickering and delays. Thanks to jointly developed algorithms, graphically displayed safety warnings are also projected directly over the reality behind the windshield.

In reduced visibility due to rain or fog, blue lines help the driver easily follow to stay in lane. The distance to the vehicle in front is also displayed, along with warnings about people near the roadway or approaching cars from the left and right.

"The safety system goes beyond existing HUDs by identifying potential dangers such as the sudden appearance of pedestrians, risks from blind spots, and difficult weather conditions, ultimately creating a comprehensive safety net around the vehicle," writes Inside Auto China.

Revolution on Four Wheels

Huawei, which has invested a lot of money in the direction of automotive suppliers and employs a team of several thousand developers for this purpose since being targeted by the USA, is responsible for the hardware. It sets new standards for HUD in terms of clarity and brightness.

According to the two manufacturers, their new AR-HUD has a contrast ratio of 1800:1 and shines with more than 12,000 nits across an area of 7.2 feet—extending well into the passenger's field of vision as well, allowing for the simultaneous display of multiple information blocks.

Xpeng, in turn, contributed its AI-supported end-to-end algorithms for driver assistance and autonomous driving functions, writes the Chinese auto portal Gasgoo. Gasgoo also expresses enthusiasm. "The revolutionary system represents the first true integration of AI-driven driver assistance with HUD technology," comments the usually quite critical trade medium.

The result of the cooperation between these two companies is "the first lane-level navigation with augmented reality," writes Inside China Auto. Xpeng itself speaks of the "world's first HUD solution integrating smart driving with AI." The first model in which this AR HUD will be available is the electric SUV "G7" from Xpeng, which is set to be launched later this year. According to media reports, it will cost approximately 250,000 Yuan (around 32,500 dollars). Pre-sales began on June 11, 2025, and are initially restricted to China.

Critical Voices

When it comes to whether numbers and arrows spread across the entire width of the windshield are an aid for drivers or a major distraction, opinions may differ. "If everyday driving feels like living in a video game," commented Techradar on the new product.

Huawei and Xpeng insist that their new AR HUD will clearly enhance driving safety. By seamlessly overlaying the real environment with digital navigation information, the driver no longer needs to look down, allowing for better and faster decision-making, argue the two manufacturers. In their typical irony, the automotive experts of the British magazine "Top Gear" point out that the new mega HUD display could not only warn of dangers in tricky spots but also of "um, distracted driving behavior." (sb)

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