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General Motors researchers are working on a windscreen that combines lasers, infrared sensors and a camera to enhance what's happening on the road, so drivers with vision problems are able to see more clearly.
In the research stage, the technology will help as the proportion of people over 65 rises and spend more time driving.
The windscreen won't improve vision, but it will make objects stand out that may go unnoticed by an aged eye.
Developers say the technology won't cause drivers to plough into trees. It is enhancing a few objects that are in a driver's view, not splashing distracting information onto the glass.
During a foggy drive, a laser projects a blue line on to the windshield that follows the edge of the road. If infrared sensors detect a person or animal in the driver's path at night, its outline is projected on the windshield to highlight its location.
It is possible because of a transparent coating on the windscreen that lights up when struck by ultraviolet light.
Sensors determine the position of the car in relation to the road, while other devices track the driver's head and eye movement to make sure the image on the windscreen isn't skewed.
Technological issues mean it will be a while before the windscreen goes into production.
GM researcher Thomas Seder says there are sceptics.
“They say, `That would be very frustrating or confusing, to have things on my windscreen. I need to see the world',” Seder says.
“I'm enhancing the world. I'll take a feature that should be important to you, like the edge of the road, and paint a line over the real edge.”
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