If you thought vacuum-fluorescent dashboards and visions of a holographic future were as 80's as Ms. Pac-Man, check this out: Provision Interactive Technologies worked with Daihatsu to create a 3D holographic dashboard for Daihatsu's latest concept car, Marketwire reports. The companies debuted the car at the 40th Annual Tokyo Motor Show, and Provision has already filed a patent for the technology.

Provision's HLXX, a specially designed version of its HoloVision product, is a combined 2D flat screen and 3D holographic screen that serves as the car's in-dash display, the report said:

"The traditional 2D flat screen acts as a traditional dashboard, displaying gauges such as the speedometer and tachometer. The 3D holographic screen presents warnings and vehicle information as easy-to-understand 3D images to facilitate driver awareness and recognition. These features will be integrated as part of Daihatsu's OPCS (Omni-directional Pre-Crash Safety Support System) to create the next generation of digital dashboards."

Provision is already developing design and rigorous test plans for the HLXX dashboard. Daihatsu, for its part, plans to make the technology available in vehicles by 2012, according to the company's announcement.