Wearable HUD Technology A Popular Choice As A Retrofit Solution

Based on its recent analysis of the commercial avionics market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Elbit Systems with the 2014 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation Leadership. Elbit Systems has taken the enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) concept one step further with its wearable Skylens head up display (HUD), inspired by the military helmet mounted systems. While the EFVS creates better environment awareness during airport approach to allow pilots to land in harsh conditions, Elbit's Skylens provides augmented reality vision to the pilot.

"Elbit's Skylens HUD is affordable as it can be easily installed in any airplane or helicopter, providing all the benefits of HUD, such as, reducing dependency on airport equipment, day and night operation in all weather conditions and exceptional situational awareness," said Frost & Sullivan Consultant Thomas Saquer. "It is the ideal device to support the pilot during take-off and approach flight phases, while improving the airline's operations as it allows the aircraft to land in difficult conditions at many airports."

While HUDs have been well received in general by the aviation industry, Elbit has an edge because its technology is wearable, and this feature facilitates the technology's integration and adoption. Indeed, its ease of installation will allow Elbit Systems to acquire most of the HUD retrofit market and if the price is competitive enough, it could even become the cockpit standard and render fixed HUDs obsolete.

Importantly, this wearable HUD enhances the client's operations and thereby, saves costs. Other critical advantages of the Skylens HUD are its light weight; incorporation of all the current HUD technologies; and ease-of-wear, even for pilots with glasses.

"As the Skylens HUD has to be wearable and comfortable, it is designed to be very light and closer in appearance to a sunglass with a large visor rather than a helmet, which would be bulkier, heavier and possibly, prevent adoption," noted Thomas Saquer. "Evidently, Elbit Systems has designed the wearable Skylens HUD system keeping in mind end-user requirements and perceptions, paying close attention to the demands of long-haul flights."

After Skylens HUD's planned certification in 2016, Elbit Systems may well be on its way to becoming the future leader of the wearable HUD market in commercial aviation, which will allow it to extend its brand awareness in the air transport market beyond just the business jet sector.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leverage leading-edge technologies. The award recognizes the value added features/benefits of the product and the increased ROI it offers customers, which in turn increases customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for outstanding achievement in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research.

(Images provided by Elbit Systems)

FMI: www.elbitsystems.com