Harman International Industries invested in startup Navdy , which makes projection displays that sit in front of car windshields, signaling a new area it plans to explore under the ownership of Samsung.

HARMAN will offer an aftermarket Augmented Reality (AR) Driving Device to automotive OEMs. As part of the agreement with Navdy, HARMAN will have exclusive rights to distribute the new co-branded aftermarket Navdy with HARMAN device to automotive OEMs, specialty auto and audio channels as well as select mobile carriers globally.

Introduced last month, the new Navdy product is the first aftermarket heads-up driving (HUD) device that projects both mobile application information and car data information directly over the road allowing drivers to "Look Forward" while "Staying Connected." The aftermarket HUD solution leverages AR technology to project car, phone and music information directly in the driver's line of sight.

The initial offering will be a co-branded Navdy with HARMAN aftermarket device combining the Navdy technology with the strength of the HARMAN brand. In January of 2017, the aftermarket device will be available direct to automotive OEM customers globally and to consumers in North America through specialty auto/audio outlets. Product bundles with synergistic HARMAN products such as the JBL Trip will also be made available in select markets.

Navdy's user interface projects a transparent image on the road ahead and incorporates software that lets drivers interact with their smartphones hands-free using hand gestures to accept calls and respond to messages. Having maps, calls, messages, notifications, music, and car information projected directly over the road results in a safer connected driving experience. The augmented driving device software is also integrated with the OBD-II interface of the car allowing access to important car information such as speed and fuel level on the transparent screen.