Lacking confidence in driving? 'Seeing the invisible' would open your eyes

Dubai - Invisible-to-Visible innovation to help you see even what's behind a building

For all the technologies being brought out by auto companies, it may be hard to keep up.
Now, Nissan has a new 'drive': making the 'invisible' an eye-opener for drivers.
The Japanese carmaker on Sunday announced that it will be unveiling its new Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) innovation at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
At first glance, I2V would be another interactive, three-dimensional experience at the CES.
But what Nissan touts about it is that it will help you see beyond the road - even behind every structure in the area you're driving in.
I2V is powered by the company's own Omni-Sensing technology, a hub gathering real-time data from the traffic environment and from the vehicle's surroundings and interior. Helping it out Seamless Autonomous Mobility (SAM), which analyses the road environment through relevant real-time information; and the ProPilot semi-autonomous driver support system.
In layman's terms, it maps a 360-degree virtual space around the vehicle that provides information on things such as road and intersection status, visibility, signage and nearby pedestrians.
The system can anticipate what's ahead, including even showing what's behind a building or around a corner. To make driving more enjoyable, guidance is given in an interactive, human-like way, such as through avatars that appear inside the car.
For example, it can tell the driver that there is a pedestrian along the road being driven on even from a substantial distance, which would make the driver alert.
"By helping you see the invisible, I2V enhances your confidence and makes driving more enjoyable," said Tetsuro Ueda, 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 can also anticipate if people in the vehicle need assistance in finding something - or even a coffee break to stay alert on the road.
And once you've reached your destination, you can kick back and relax after that drive: I2V can access SAM to scan for parking spaces and park the vehicle for you in situations requiring difficult maneuvres.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com