Driving through tight spaces or rough terrain often requires precise control over tire placement, which can be unexpectedly challenging. Even experienced drivers struggle to visualize exactly where their tires will track when parking or navigating obstacles, leading to curbed wheels, pothole damage, or inefficient maneuvering. While parking sensors and backup cameras help, they don’t provide proactive, real-time guidance about where the tires are heading next—especially when moving forward.

How It Could Work

One solution could involve projecting real-time tire path outlines onto the road ahead, adjusted dynamically as the driver steers. For instance, when turning right, curved lines would appear showing exactly where the front and rear tires will move. This could work via:

• Sensors: Steering angle and wheel speed data (already available in most modern cars via OBD-II)
• Projection: Laser/LED units near the bumper or integrated into headlights—or as an augmented reality overlay on a head-up display (HUD)
• Algorithm: Calculating tire trajectories based on the car’s dimensions and real-time steering inputs

Potential Advantages Over Existing Solutions

Current parking aids like static backup camera guidelines or laser parking markers only work in reverse or show fixed boundaries. A dynamic forward-tracking system could fill gaps by:

• Helping drivers parallel park without nudging curbs
• Guiding off-roaders around rocks or ruts
• Providing new drivers with a clearer sense of their vehicle’s footprint

Unlike generic AR navigation displays, this would focus specifically on tire placement precision—a niche most systems overlook.

Path to Implementation

A staged approach could validate the idea with minimal risk:

1. Software MVP: A smartphone app using AR and the phone’s camera to simulate tire paths, testing demand and usability
2. Hardware Prototype: Aftermarket LED projectors paired with OBD-II data for parked vehicle trials
3. Automaker Integration: Partnering with manufacturers to embed projections into headlights or HUDs as a premium feature

Daytime visibility and distraction risks would need testing, but high-contrast projections or driver-adjustable brightness could mitigate these.