Nissan Motor Co. recently made a leap into the virtual world with the launch of a new metaverse experience called ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’ on March 7. This innovative project celebrates Nissan’s 90th anniversary and highlights the company’s rich history and commitment to the importance of safety. With this new venture, Nissan aims to offer users a unique and immersive experience that takes them on a journey through time and promotes safe driving habits by showcasing three iconic cars.
honoring history
The first exhibition of ‘Heritage Car & Safe Drive Studio’ featured one of Nissan’s most popular drift cars, the Silvia Q S13. This virtual environment not only allows users to explore cars in detail, but also provides insight into how the color of pedestrian clothing can affect a driver’s perception of the road. This unique perspective highlights the importance of remaining alert and attentive while driving, even in virtual environments.
The second exhibition takes users into a virtual world showcasing the iconic Skyline 2000GTX-E. This car holds a special place in Nissan’s history, not only because it is important in tuning culture, but because it has also appeared in popular video games and movies such as the Gran Turismo series and the Fast and Furious franchise. Along with exploring the car, users can also engage in mini-games that highlight the effects of multitasking while driving and encourage safe driving habits.
The third exhibit takes users back to the 1950s and 1960s and immerses them in American diner and drive-in theater environments. This nostalgic setting gives users the opportunity to practice steering wheel control, emphasizing the importance of becoming familiar with vehicle controls and handling them effectively.
cooperative effort
This metaverse experience is the result of a collaboration between Nissan and Japanese university researchers, demonstrating the potential for combining virtual technology and research. This partnership not only adds credibility to the project, but also demonstrates Nissan’s commitment to continually innovating and pushing the boundaries of the automotive industry.
Nissan’s ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’ can be accessed through the Meta Quest headset, allowing users to easily experience it. This user-friendly approach makes the project more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.
Building on previous successes
This metaverse experience isn’t Nissan’s first venture into the virtual world. In 2022, the company launched its first virtual test drives, giving users the opportunity to experience Nissan vehicles without leaving their homes. In December 2023, four existing metaverse worlds were renewed to further expand its presence in virtual space.
Nissan has once again proven itself as an innovator in the automotive industry through ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’. This immersive and educational Metaverse experience not only celebrates its rich history, but also promotes the importance of road safety. With this project, Nissan has set a new standard for integrating virtual technologies into the automotive industry, and we look forward to what they have in store for us next.
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