CES 2019: see the invisible
“Our path is headed towards infinite worlds.” That’s the belief of Tetsuro Ueda, technology expert at the Nissan Research Center in Japan. At first it may seem Mr Ueda is discussing space travel, but he actually has a rather different - yet equally expansive – idea in mind: Mixed Reality (MR).
MR is a radical concept that merges the real world with the virtual world (known as the ‘Metaverse’), to create a completely new, immersive experience. Using data gathered from our surroundings, it can overlay MR worlds onto our physical environments to help with a whole range of daily tasks, including driving. Yet despite this potential, MR technology has been largely absent from motor vehicle design – until now.
Enter Nissan’s revolutionary Invisible-To-Visible (I2V) technology concept. Debuting at this year’s prestigious Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 in Las Vegas, the concept puts MR technology at the heart of a futuristic vehicle design to create the ultimate connected car experience.
I2V technology is unique because it allows drivers to see things far beyond what is normally visible, such as around corners and through buildings. To do this, it uses Nissan’s Omni-Sensing technology to map a 360-degree virtual space around the car, presenting this to the driver via a 3D mixed-reality display.
By offering a complete view of the surrounding environment, the driver can easily identify hidden hazards and oncoming road conditions, executing the best manoeuvres with reduced stress. I2V can also minimise the inconveniences that affect daily driving, such as finding the nearest space in busy car parks, or telling you which lane is moving fastest in heavy traffic.
Mr Ueda, who led the development of this technology at Nissan’s Research Center, believes that “having this knowledge, the knowledge of the unknown, will play a key role in reducing driving stress.”
What really sets I2V apart from other technologies, however, is the human-like interaction it offers. In short, I2V can connect drivers and passengers to people in the Metaverse, making it possible for family or friends to appear inside the car as 3D, MR-avatars providing lifelike company or assistance. “A core feature of I2V technology is sharing the experience of mobility,” says Mr Ueda.
Sometimes though, we know you just want to sit back and enjoy the journey. As such, drivers can place the car in autonomous mode and use I2V to transform the interior into more pleasant mixed-reality environment. If it’s grey and rainy outside, for instance, a brighter atmosphere of a sunny day can be projected inside the vehicle.
Of course, while creating new mixed-reality worlds is an incredible prospect, none of this technology means Nissan is forgetting the real world around us. Our efforts to promote a cleaner, safer and fairer planet continue. This is why our other key CES 2019 reveals included our latest all-electric Nissan LEAF models for Europe: the new LEAF 3.ZERO and the new LEAF e+ 3.ZERO Limited Edition.
An evolution of the current Nissan LEAF – Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle - the brand new LEAF 3.ZERO brings an 8-inch infotainment screen enabling door-to-door navigation, alongside a new and improved NissanConnect EV app to meet customer demand for connectivity.
Paving the way for a future of even greater efficiency and power delivery, the new LEAF e+ 3.ZERO Limited Edition introduces new battery technology that extends range by over 100km with a higher power output to boost excitement behind the wheel. Using a reimagined battery pack design to accommodate more cells, the new LEAF e+ 3.ZERO Limited Edition will deliver up to 385km range on a single charge, thanks to a huge 55% increase in storage capacity. With only 5,000 cars produced for Europe – this Limited Edition LEAF will take drivers further, faster!
Combined, the reveal of the latest Nissan LEAF models and I2V technology showcase the true vision of Nissan Intelligent Mobility – both present and future. By captivating audiences at CES 2019, Nissan sits alongside some of the most exciting tech companies of today, as we strive to make the invisible, visible.