Nissan Motor Co. recently made a leap into the virtual world by launching a new metaverse experience on March 7 called ‘Heritage Cars and Safe Drive Studio‘. This innovative project celebrates Nissan’s 90th anniversary and highlights the company’s commitment to both its rich history and the importance of safety. With this new venture, Nissan aims to provide a unique and immersive experience that takes users on a journey through time, showcasing three iconic cars and promoting safe driving practices.
Honoring history
The first exhibition of ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’ features the Silvia Q S13, one of Nissan’s most popular drift cars. This virtual environment not only allows users to explore the car in detail, but also provides insight into how the color of pedestrian clothing can influence a driver’s perception of the road. This unique perspective emphasizes the importance of being aware and alert while driving, even in a virtual environment.
The second exhibition takes users into a virtual world where the iconic Skyline 2000GTX-E is on display. This car holds a special place in Nissan’s history, as it not only has great significance in tuning culture, but has also appeared in popular video games and films, such as the Gran Turismo series and the Fast and Furious franchise. In addition to exploring the car, users can also participate in a mini-game that sheds light on the impact of multitasking while driving and promotes safe driving behavior.
The third exhibition takes users on a journey back to the era of the 1950s and 1960s, immersing them in an American diner and drive-in theater environment. This nostalgic setting gives users the opportunity to practice using the steering wheel controls, emphasizing the importance of being familiar with your vehicle’s controls and being able to operate them effectively.
A joint effort
This metaverse experience is the result of collaboration between Nissan and Japanese university researchers, and showcases the possibilities for combining virtual technology with research. This collaboration not only adds credibility to the project, but also demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to continuously innovate and push boundaries in the automotive industry.
Nissan’s ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’ can be accessed through the Meta Quest headset, making it easy for users to experience. This user-friendly approach further contributes to the inclusivity of the project, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Building on previous success
This upside-down experience isn’t Nissan’s first foray into the virtual world. In 2022, the company launched its first virtual test drive, giving users the chance to experience a Nissan car without leaving their home. In December 2023, they revamped four existing metaverse worlds, further expanding their presence in virtual space.
With ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’, Nissan has once again proven itself as an innovator in the automotive industry. This immersive and educational metaverse experience not only celebrates their rich history, but also promotes the importance of road safety. With this project, Nissan has set a new standard for integrating virtual technology into the automotive industry, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next.
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