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You may think that driving goggles belong to the days when cars were rare on the roads and people dressed in flying jackets to go for a quick drive.

But the vintage eyewear may be set to make a comeback in a new hi-tech form, because BMW Mini has produced concept smart specs to give drivers super-human powers such as X-ray-like vision.

BMW Group's answer to Google Glass is designed to let drivers of its Mini model see pop-up virtual displays for directions and other features – and the Elvis-esque glasses can also be worn out of the car.

Vintage driving goggles may be set to make a comeback, because BMW Mini has produced concept smart specs (pictured) to give drivers super-human powers in the car

It calls them a 'revolutionary display concept offering enhanced comfort and safety'.

The Augmented Vision goggles will go on show at the Auto Shanghai show and generate 'screens' showing information that only the wearer can see.

For example, the goggles can project navigation information with arrows onto the roads, as well as showing speed limits and even point out local landmarks.

BMW Group's answer to Google Glass is designed to let drivers of its Mini model see pop-up virtual displays for showing maps and other features – and the Elvis-style glasses (pictured) can also be worn out of the car

The goggles can project navigation information with arrows onto the roads, as well as show speed limits (both pictured) and even point out local landmarks

Driving goggles were worn by racing drivers and wealthy motorists who owned early cars, so keep bugs and flying debris out of their eyes. This image from 1924 shows Enzo Ferrari testing an Alfa-Romeo in Italy

The idea is that the eyewear shows relevant information in the driver's direct field of vision, without obscuring other road users in a bid to boost safety.

Data such as speed, is shown just above the wheel, near to the physical dashboard they drivers would usually check without the aid of glasses.

The goggles are connected to a smartphone so that wearers see an icon when they have a new text message, which can be read out in the car.

Users can select a mode to help them park.

A setting called Augmented Parking, shows the driver the distance to the curb, by projecting images obtained from a camera on the far side mirror on the glasses.

And the glasses also give drivers X-ray-like vision, by letting users see external objects concealed by the car.

The feature could stop people opening their car door into low bollards and high curbs, for example.

'Mini Augmented Vision gives an insight into how intelligent connectivity between a Mini car and eyewear into which relevant content is projected might work in the future,' said Dr Jörg Preißinger, project-manager of Mini Augmented Vision, BMW Group research and technology.

The Augmented Vision goggles (pictured) will go on show at the Auto Shanghai show and generate 'screens' showing information that only the wearer can see

The idea is that the eyewear shows relevant information in the driver's direct field of vision but without obscuring other road users in a bid to boost safety. The smart specs can be worn outside the car (pictured) too

Free parking spaces are highlighted in the driver's field of view so they can spot a space more easily, and a setting, called Augmented Parking, shows the driver the distance to the curb so that an 'X-ray' view shows them outside the car - this is illustrated above by showing a waiting dog outside the car

'Working with several Qualcomm companies, we have created an interlinked system and augmented reality eyewear with a characteristic Mini design that revolutionise the experience both in and outside the vehicle.'

BMW Mini doesn't reveal much about how the goggles could be used outside the car, but shows an image of a man in art gallery, hinting that extra features could be unlocked together with using a smartphone.

They are a prototype created by the car manufacturer and Qualcomm Connected Experiences, and there is no news about whether the goggles will ever go on sale.

But Jay Wright, VP Qualcomm Connected Experiences, said: 'BMW Mini Augmented Vision offers a compelling example of what's possible today, and what we can expect in the future.'

BMW Mini doesn't reveal much about how the goggles could be used outside the car, but shows an image of a man in art gallery (pictured), hinting that features could be unlocked together with using a smartphone

The glasses (pictured) are a prototype created by the car manufacturer and Qualcomm Connected Experiences, but there is no news about whether they will ever go on sale