Japan's Pioneer has unveiled its NavGate HUD, a head-up display for drivers that projects information on a car windshield equivalent to a 30-inch display.

The system uses a small projector attached to a vehicle's sun visor to project an image onto the windshield, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road even when consulting their navigation app, something not possible when using a tablet or smartphone.

"Two essential elements for driving are having a clear view on the road and knowing where you're going," Pioneer Europe's Car Product Planning Manager Geert Verhoeven said. "Our NavGate HUD has been designed with both of those ideas in mind, ensuring drivers navigate without losing focus, keeping distractions to a minimum."

The DLP projector's beam creates an image Pioneer says has both high contrast and deeply saturated colors, SlashGear reported Wednesday.

The image simulates a 30-inch display positioned about 6 feet in front of the driver along the horizon.

"As it's an aftermarket device, the NavGate HUD mounts right onto the car's sun visor and can easily be removed for theft protection," Verhoeven said.

The system will be available in October at all Pioneer car audio dealerships, the company said, although it did not announce pricing.