Designer takes winning prize for inventive windscreen design

Oliver Brunt, a Design for Industry student, received the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award 2011 – an annual competition that aims to identify, support and develop automotive talent of the future.

The 21-year-old designed the Social Heads Up Display (SHUD) System for his competition entry. 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. The 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 to display the 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 that the driver does not have to take their eyes away from the road at any point in their journey, thus improving safety.

Speaking after being chosen as winner of the prestigious award, Oliver said: "The competition has and will change my life. To all the people at Autocar, Courland, the SMMT and sponsors, I really cannot thank you enough. It's been a true joy meeting such passionate people and I am inspired to make every second count for the great opportunity this competition has afforded me."

Oliver, originally from Scunthorpe, is currently in contact with various car manufacturers and a German independent OLED screen specialist in the hope of developing the idea into a working prototype. He said: “Combining the SHUD system with the OLED technology could save lives, reduce traffic and decrease in-car driver distractions by eradicating the need to look anywhere else in the car apart from the windows and mirrors.

“The whole idea is built upon existing technology and infrastructure but merges key elements to create a whole new concept that could save lives, time and our environment.”

The Next Generation Award offers entrants a unique chance to launch a coveted industry career and is run in partnership with Courland Automotive and the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders. The 2011 award is backed by McLaren Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Peugeot and Skoda.

Open to transportation design students across the country, the competition asked entrants to submit a proposal suggesting some improvement that would be a worthwhile benefit to the automotive business on a small or large scale. Entries were narrowed down to 12 candidates who were selected to attend an assessment day to present their idea to a panel of senior industry executives. Oliver and five other candidates impressed the judges following a series of interviews, professional personality profiling and psychometric tests. Folllowing a final presentation to a panel of industry insiders, Oliver and two others were shortlisted as finalists in the competition. Oliver was chosen as the overall award winner, receiving a five-month placement programme with the sponsoring car manufacturers as well as a cash prize.

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. Additionally, his presentation was very thorough, he has a good understanding of business and he is very personable. I shall be following his career with interest."

Kevin Gaskell, Chairman of Courland Automotive Practice, led the assessment panel in the competition. He said: “Oliver Brunt is a very professional young man, he possesses all the skills necessary to be successful in whichever career he chooses. I can see him being an excellent appointment, bringing lots of added value to the company that is lucky enough to secure his services in the future."