CES 2019: Nissan Unveils Vision for the Future with I2V

Nissan plans to make a huge splash at the CES 2019 event in Las Vegas with a new tech concept that could potentially allow for travel and commutes that are not only safer, but smarter as well.

Dubbed as Invisible-to-Visible or I2V, the new tech merges the data world with the real world, supporting motorists by simultaneously using data gathered from the vehicle’s onboard sensors with data from the cloud. This lets the system monitor not only objects and obstacles that are within the vehicle’s immediate vicinity, but also those that are further ahead—even showing what’s around the corner or on the opposite side of a building.

“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.

In addition, I2V can also show information regarding traffic conditions, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and even provide alternative route suggestions.

“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 added.

Nissan ups the excitement ante by allowing driver and passengers to keep an eye on the environment-at-large via interactive three-dimensional interfaces and displays that create a 360-degree virtual space inside the car to make occupants ‘see’ roads, intersection status, signage, and even moving pedestrians. It can also monitor the occupants themselves and alert drivers if they are starting to feel drowsy or doze off.

I2V can even create a virtual environment in the car, so if driving in the rain starts to make you feel a little bit gloomy, you can program the system to project the scenery of a sunny day inside the cabin.

Feeling a little lost? The system can help connect you to a local guide or professional driver who can give you directions and instructions in real time. Those instructions will then be recorded by an Omni Sensing feature and stored in the cloud, ready for access should you or another user driving through the same area need to use it.

Visitors to Nissan’s CES 2019 display can experience I2V by putting on a pair of augmented-reality goggles and stepping inside a demonstration cockpit featuring three-dimensional interfaces and displays. Users will be guided through scenarios including a tour of a city, receiving help to find an open parking space at a busy mall, seeing a rainy day outside change to a sunny day inside the car, chasing a professional driver avatar to improve driving skills, and exploring how I2V can see through buildings and around corners.

CES 2019 runs from January 8 to 11. Nissan’s display will be in the convention center’s North Hall.