RELATED STORY: SYNAPTIQ: The future vision of INFINITI HMI
- INFINITI's SYNAPTIQ is a unique human-machine interface, a vision of how people will connect with their vehicles in 2029
- SYNAPTIQ features a modular design using augmented reality, 3D hologram and wearable technologies
- The SYNAPTIQ driver stays in one cockpit environment for three different street, off-road or air race vehicles
LOS ANGELES – INFINITI has entered the 11th annual Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge with SYNAPTIQ, a unique answer to this year's theme of "Sensing the Future: How Will Cars Interact With Us In 2029?"
Participating for the first time in the Design Challenge, INFINITI designers from its San Diego studio looked toward the future in which augmented reality, 3D hologram and wearable technologies may be a part of the everyday driving experience, creating a seamless interaction between man and machine.
Then, to demonstrate exactly how these futuristic technologies could be used to make driving even more interactive, the INFINITI Design team imagined a vehicle triathlon called the A.R.C. Race which includes air, rally and circuit competitions.
For each of the three races, the SYNAPTIQ design provides a universal fuselage for the driver to control each of the different air, rally and circuit vehicles.
The first is a Formula 1™ -style race car competing in a road course from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Then, the driver pilots an off-road racer to the Grand Canyon. Finally, the third portion of the vehicle triathlon is a radical, gymkhana-style jet air race back to Los Angeles, where the driver would maneuver around 3D holographic rings that mark the course.
For each vehicle and race, the driver stays within the same cockpit, allowing him or her to stay within a familiar environment using the same interfaces. The driver is therefore able to better adapt to any driving or flying situation, as demonstrated with the experiences encountered between the three A.R.C. Race situations and the vehicle types used.
"As designers, we are always looking toward what's next, but SYNAPTIQ allows us to conceptualize what's even further out for drivers in the future," said John Sahs, interior design manager at INFINITI, and leader of the SYNAPTIQ team. "Yet, through the A.R.C. Race concept, we were also able to imagine a way to effectively demonstrate how these technologies could be used, whether the vehicle is on or off road, or even in the air."
The team envisions a modular fuselage on a new human-machine interface that controls the vehicles by connecting the SYNAPTIQ S.U.I.T. (Symbiotic User Interface Technology) through a docking attachment, effectively making man and machine work as one.
Simulating physical interaction with the vehicle, the S.U.I.T. suspends the pilot into the proper position for driving or flying, and is woven with synthetic muscles that both enhance the driving experience and give tactile feedback to the driver.
Inside the fuselage, liquid crystal canopies are enhanced with an augmented reality system that actively display relevant information for the pilot, such as his vital signs and dynamic vehicle updates.
"Our team loved participating in the Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge," added Sahs. "It allowed us to gaze even farther into the future, imaging a world where the driving experience is enhanced with technologies that are on one hand futuristic, but are also not that far from reality."
INFINITI's entry for this year's design challenge is joined by several other manufacturer teams. The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Design Challenge entry online as part of the first annual "People's Choice Award." Please visit Los Angeles Auto Show's website here or the Show's official Facebook page here for more information.
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and the UK will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio. INFINITI plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI's Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
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Contacts:
Nick Twork
Director Corporate Communications
INFINITI Americas
(615) 725-4038
nick.twork@infiniti.com
Kyle Bazemore
Senior Manager
INFINITI USA Communications
(615) 725-3210
kyle.bazemore@infiniti.com
Alexandra Amelang
Senior Specialist
INFINITI USA Communications
(615) 725-1455
alexandra.amelang@infiniti.com
