More news coming from Las Vegas, this time it’ cars. Nissan, more precisely, who debuts their own Invisible-to-Visible AR technology that casts images of what’s around a driver’s corner. It is a bold new vision of safety driving, applicable both for human and autonomous vehicle control.
There is so much to write about around CES time that cherry-picking a little is a must. Even though the standards are high and subjects aplenty, Nissan did their absolute best to attract the desired attention. As all inventions worth their salt, their new I2V vision is a revealingly simple affair – a cloud-based system that offers AR image of the road around – yet laden with futureproof applicability. The Invisible-to-Visible AR technology broadens the specter of visible for drivers, making rides safer and better informed.
As we have learned so far, naming new tech can be hit or miss. I2V is nonetheless a fitting one. As Tetsuro Ueda from Nissan would have it: ‘By helping you see the invisible, I2V enhances your confidence and makes driving more enjoyable’. The tech makes best use of onboard sensors that pair well with traffic data to produce 360, real-time images of the car’s surroundings. In the mood for compounds, this particular bit of tech is dubbed Omni-Sensing. But it’s only half of the system; the other half is designed with driver in mind. Much like Google suggestions, the system anticipates the needs of drivers, (if they are tired, say) and come early to the rescue. Invisible-to-Visible AR technology does, to quote Ueda, make for a pleasurable driving experience no matter who’s the one in charge.
No matter, that is, whether there is someone behind the wheel or car operates itself. In case of the former, the Omni-Sense takes the advisory role, displaying data relevant to the road ahead. Scanning the roads via the Internet, it alerts drivers to treacherous or busy curves, poor visibility issues, even scans the area for the best parking spots. Speaking of parking, Invisible-to-Visible AR technology overhaul will offer to park the car for you. Once the vehicle flips to autonomous driving, I2V is there to make the ride as pleasant as machinely possible. The car will, for instance, scan the weather conditions and offer the corresponding cabin ambient to either match or oppose it.
Furthermore, the drive support receives an overhaul. ‘The interactive features create an experience that’s tailored to your interests and driving style so that anyone can enjoy using it in their own way’, Ueda opines. This is mostly the case of the Metaverse-induced professional avatars that can be summoned to help with many of the vehicle functions, or to advise on the ride. Avatars, too, can help as guides on new roads.
Exciting days ahead, as we brace to see what comes out of this year’s tech festival in Las Vegas. Nissan’s Invisible-to-Visible AR technology certainly looks the part, raising the bar for on-road AR.
