Mercedes to Equip S-Class with New Split Display Screen

The latest gadget to come out of Mercedes’ Stuttgart headquarters is a new split display screen that allows the driver and front passenger to view two different programmes at the same time. The new technology that is integrated into the control and display system COMAND is called SPLITVIEW and it has been developed by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch. Located centrally on the dashboard console, the screen shows two different images simultaneously by placing pixels adjacent to each other. A filter masking the display divides this mixed image in such a way that depending on the seating position, only the pixels making up one or the other image can be seen. As a result, the driver and front passenger can view different programmes on the same screen at the same time.

For example, while the driver checks out the navigation system the front passenger can watch a film on the very same display. To avoid any distractions to the driver, the passenger has the option of enjoying the programme via headphones. Mercedes-Benz said that the new SPLITVIEW technology will make its premiere in the S-Class (most likely the facelifted model) in the summer of 2009.