The automotive industry is undergoing the most significant change since the industrialization of automotive manufacturing took place in 1908. Digitalization is driving the disruption. While the past century was largely focused on incrementally enhancing manufacturing to become more efficient for mass scale, the future is about redefining the role of the vehicle for the driver and the passengers. Research suggests that in the next decade driving will become easier, safer, cheaper, and more comfortable. One commonly used feature that most drivers use today is the navigation. Statistically, drivers around the world are relying more and more on their mobile devices to navigate unknown roads. But why? The main reason appears to be ease of use, followed by the car not having a GPS system, then better accuracy, and the fact that it’s easier to update. The only big advantage the GPS devices might have over a smartphone is that they don’t rely on a data connection to plot a route. Other than that, they are costly, bulky and most of them still require regular updates (usually at an extra cost). Phone apps definitely have better traffic information than GPS devices. But the advantages of using an app vs. a GPS don’t stop there.  There are features like live traffic reporting provided by users, a variety of voice navigation options, including celebrity voices, remembering commonly used routes, frequent destinations, and commute time, traffic jam time countdown, police notifications, Spotify integration, offline functionality, etc. Most of these apps are free and are easy to update or even delete, if you no longer like or use it. Google Maps and Waze are, perhaps, most popular because they both consistently deliver accurate directions and are straightforward to use. A lot has already been written about the advantages/disadvantages and popularity of these apps, and many drivers are using exactly these two to navigate, but let us not stop discovering what else is available on the market for your safe and easy driving experience. One big problem when it comes to navigating with Google Maps or Waze is that the driver has to take his or her eyes off the road to check the directions. Tilting your head sideways even for just a few seconds can cause accidents, we all know it. To avoid this distraction, there is a technology called a head-up display, a gadget that projects your directions directly in front of you. These HUDs come in a variety of price ranges and features, and there are plenty of reviews you can read about which device suits you the best.  The simplest (and cheapest) ones allow you to navigate and have other gauges (a speedometer, for example). The more advanced ones, like WayRay, which is planning to release its holographic AR in-windshield product, designed for OEMs, but also offers an aftermarket version, cost more, but offer many more innovative features. But there are other simpler, immediately available, and easy to use aftermarket mobility solutions. One that continues to deliver (while many go bust) is a small California start-up HUDWAY, who, a few years ago, built a navigation app – HUDWAY Go – that mirrors your smartphone screen so you can see the road directions directly on your windshield, no additional equipment required. Just open the app, put your phone on the dashboard and drive. Just a few months ago, HUDWAY brought to the aftermarket a compatible head-up display – HUDWAY Cast – which allows you to answer your calls, text, and listens to your favorite music, while safely navigating. HUDWAY Cast assists the driver to process important data, all without having to take his or her eyes off the road. What I especially like is that you can continue using any of your favorite apps to drive with a Cast. Not to forget (parents, read up!) that for a younger generation of drivers who inevitably continue using their smartphones at the wheel, this gadget becomes a must-have to save lives. I appreciate HUDWAY’s enthusiasm to continuously innovate and bring new product ideas to the market. It is definitely taking the first but big steps to having easy-to-use AR solutions in your vehicle today, the next ones will be using connectivity of your smartphone to get informed and updated while on a driving journey in an autonomous or driverless vehicle. From navigation to an increased awareness of other drives, AR features naturally place more control on the automobile, itself. Not only will these make driving more exciting, but it could also prove as a huge step up in regards to sharing safety and environmental data. Looks like the team at HUDWAY is moving in the right direction as in the future of autonomous vehicles all the road and entertainment information from your smartphone will be moving to your car’s windshield.