Infiniti's SYNAPTIQ entered into L.A. Motor Show Design Challenge

Infiniti has entered the 11^th annual Los Angeles Motor 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 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.

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.

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.

Infiniti's entry for this year's design challenge is joined by several other manufacturer teams. The public has had the opportunity to vote for their favourite Design Challenge entry online as part of the first annual "People's Choice Award."