Nissan Motor Co. has recently taken a leap into the virtual world by launching a new metaverse experience on March 7th, called ‘Heritage Cars & 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 offer 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 offers insights into how the color of pedestrian clothing can affect a driver’s perception while on the road. This unique perspective highlights the importance of being aware and alert while driving, even in a virtual setting.

The second exhibition transports users to a virtual world that showcases the iconic Skyline 2000GTX-E. This car holds a special place in Nissan’s history as it is not only significant in tuning culture but has also made appearances in popular video games and films such as the Gran Turismo series and Fast and Furious franchise. Along with 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 habits.

The third exhibition takes users on a journey back to the 1950s-1960s era, immersing them in an American diner and drive-in theater environment. This nostalgic setting offers users the opportunity to practice steering wheel controls, emphasizing the importance of being familiar with your vehicle’s controls and being able to handle them effectively.

A Collaborative Effort

This metaverse experience is a result of collaboration between Nissan and Japanese university researchers, showcasing the potential for combining virtual technology with research. This partnership not only adds credibility to the project but also showcases Nissan’s dedication to continuously innovate and push boundaries in the automotive industry.

Nissan’s ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’ is accessible through the Meta Quest headset, making it easily available for users to experience. This user-friendly approach further adds to the inclusivity of the project, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Building on Previous Success

This metaverse experience is not Nissan’s first venture into the virtual world. In 2022, the company launched its first virtual test drive, offering users an opportunity to experience a Nissan car without leaving their homes. In December 2023, they renewed four existing metaverse worlds, further expanding their presence in the virtual space.

With ‘Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio’, Nissan has once again proven themselves as innovators in the automotive industry. This immersive and educational metaverse experience not only celebrates their rich history but also promotes the importance of safety on the road. With this project, Nissan has set a new standard for incorporating virtual technology in the automotive industry, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next. 

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