Jeep patents off-road path analysis and HUD guidance tech
Jeep is developing off-road driver aids: path analysis that scans terrain and a HUD projecting tailored lines, plus a tire display overlay adjusted for slopes.
2026-01-11T10:46:11+03:00
2026-01-11T10:46:11+03:00
2026-01-11T10:46:11+03:00
Jeep continues to expand its off-road driver aids. Newly surfaced patents in a public database indicate the brand is developing systems designed to make challenging trails safer and easier to read, even for drivers with limited experience.Path analysis in place of a spotterThe first development, called System for Offroad Travel Path Analysis, uses a front-facing camera, radar and other sensors to scan the terrain ahead. The onboard computer evaluates obstacle height, gradients and potential hazards, then suggests an optimal line, effectively taking over a spotter’s job.It can factor in suspension travel and wheel position to reduce the chances of a wheel hanging in the air, the vehicle getting stuck or the underbody striking an obstacle. On tricky sections, that kind of guidance should lower the learning curve and cut guesswork.Driver-tailored guidanceJeep also envisages projecting tips onto a head-up display. Cameras track the driver’s head position and gaze direction so the route appears at the correct angle and stays readable even on steep side slopes. Several line options may be offered — from conservative to more demanding — letting drivers pick what suits their comfort level.From assistance to autonomyThe second patent — Terrain Adjusted Tire Display — builds on camera systems that show wheel positions. It adjusts the trajectory overlay to account for surface angle, ascents and body roll, creating a more realistic and useful view when the terrain turns technical. It’s a modest tweak on paper, but one that makes the visuals better reflect what the vehicle is actually doing on uneven ground.
Jeep is developing off-road driver aids: path analysis that scans terrain and a HUD projecting tailored lines, plus a tire display overlay adjusted for slopes.
Michael Powers, Editor
Jeep continues to expand its off-road driver aids. Newly surfaced patents in a public database indicate the brand is developing systems designed to make challenging trails safer and easier to read, even for drivers with limited experience.
The first development, called System for Offroad Travel Path Analysis, uses a front-facing camera, radar and other sensors to scan the terrain ahead. The onboard computer evaluates obstacle height, gradients and potential hazards, then suggests an optimal line, effectively taking over a spotter’s job.
It can factor in suspension travel and wheel position to reduce the chances of a wheel hanging in the air, the vehicle getting stuck or the underbody striking an obstacle. On tricky sections, that kind of guidance should lower the learning curve and cut guesswork.
Jeep also envisages projecting tips onto a head-up display. Cameras track the driver’s head position and gaze direction so the route appears at the correct angle and stays readable even on steep side slopes. Several line options may be offered — from conservative to more demanding — letting drivers pick what suits their comfort level.
From assistance to autonomy
The second patent — Terrain Adjusted Tire Display — builds on camera systems that show wheel positions. It adjusts the trajectory overlay to account for surface angle, ascents and body roll, creating a more realistic and useful view when the terrain turns technical. It’s a modest tweak on paper, but one that makes the visuals better reflect what the vehicle is actually doing on uneven ground.
