At SAE's Convergence 2008 in Detroit today, QNX introduced a digital instrument cluster that can be reconfigured depending on the demands of the car and the driver. Advantages of the technology include layering of information as cars become more complex and more info has to fit within the same space in the dash. It also allows information that's important to a particular driver to be more prominent.

Dual-function dash displays are not new. Many cars feature small multifunction instrument-panel displays, and the large LCD screen used in the IP of Mercedes S-Class vehicles doubles as a monitor for a night-vision system. But QNX claims that its digital cluster can be reconfigured "on the fly" to include displays for safety features such as lane-departure warning as well as provide info for mobile phones, iPods and other portable devices connected to a car.

The technology could also make it easier on older drivers by enlarging gauges such as the speedometer, and performance-oriented drivers could make the tach larger if they choose.

Click here to check out a video demonstration of the QNX digital instrument panel in action.