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Nissan will show off its new 'I2V' technology at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. I2V, or Invisible To Visible, is a set of sensors, an augmented reality display, and a cloud computing connection that can, theoretically, put the power of the 'Internet Of Things' to work helping to keep drivers both safe and informed.
It's all been designed as part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which is as Nissan puts it: "The company's vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society."
"By helping you see the invisible, I2V enhances your confidence and makes driving more enjoyable," said Tetsuro Ueda, an expert leader at the Nissan Research Center. "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."
I2V uses Nissan's 'Omni-Sensing technology' which combines the car's on-board radar and microwave sensors with a connection to the internet, and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. By tying all of this data together, I2V can help to keep the driver informed of such things as road and junction status, visibility, signage or nearby pedestrians. It can also monitor what the driver is up to, and warn if there are any signs of dozing off or inattention.
It can also just provide useful or interesting information about the area being driven through, by accessing online guides, or even by putting the driver in direct real-time contact with an expert on the local area. It can even, theoretically, allow for virtual company in the cockpit, by contacting family, friends or others who would appear inside the car as three-dimensional, augmented-reality avatars to provide company or assistance.
The idea is that when a car is driving autonomously, the I2V system will be about providing information and entertainment, as well as tapping into local knowledge to allow the computer to figure out the most efficient route.
When the driver is in physical control of the vehicle, it's about safety - highlighting potential dangers, and helping to navigate around traffic snarl-ups using real-time data.
It can even help you become a better drive. I2V has been designed to be able to call, in real-time, on a driving expert who can help give you the right hints and tips for the road you're on, and it can even project a 'ghost car' image onto the road ahead to help guide you along and help you put your own car in the right place, at the right time.
For the moment, the system will be displayed at the CES using a set of virtual reality goggles, but the idea for the future is for it to be integrated into a full augmented reality windscreen.