MINI has unveiled its latest innovation - a virtual reality-centred piece of tech it is calling 'MINI Mixed Reality', with which drivers are now able to 'embark on a journey through the MINI universe' while seated within the confines of their MINI vehicle.
Combining the thrill of driving with the immersive capabilities for virtual reality (VR) technology, MINI Mixed Reality allows users to see the MINI Virtual Reality World out of all of the car's windows, while still navigating through their immediate physical environment via camera streams.
The magic behind the technology is a high-end PC, which runs a self-designed MINI VR World that is streamed directly to the headset. The vehicle devices work hand in hand with headset tracking gadgetry, as well as acceleration, sound and vehicle interface devices, to create what can be considered an unparalleled driving experience.
Drawn from the creative minds of the MINI Design team, the firm states that technology allows drivers to experience first hand what MINI represents, while inviting them to see the world literally through a different lens.
MINI Mixed Reality is also intended to act as a testament to MINI's commitment to innovation, by displaying how the brand stays true to the MINI DNA, while paving the way for future advancements.
As for what we can expect next, MINI thinks this latest innovation could open the doors to possibilities ranging from gaming integrations to partnerships. On the broader scale of the BMW Group, however, MINI Mixed Reality has another road-oriented goal: The technology is being used for test and validation purpose - including user studies for automated driving.
