Video games blend with reality in Nissan's URGE
We've all seen the Xbox 360 integrated into the Nissan URGE concept (pictured), but it turns out it's a whole lot more integrated than we thought!
According to Microsoft, the URGE features the first-ever fully integrated gaming system in a vehicle. While parked, the driver can play Project Gotham Racing 3 using the URGE's steering wheel, gas pedal and brake pedal, while viewing the game on the 7-inch flip-down LCD screen.
Here's a somewhat scary quote from the official press release:
"A Nissan URGE driver can, for example, maneuver through the streets of New York, park the car and fire up the Xbox 360, then virtually race through the same streets using the same steering wheel, gas pedal and brake pedal -- blurring fantasy and reality in a way that the automotive world has never before seen."
Let's hope they don't try to drive the streets the way they drive in the game...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom Morgan 9:16AM (12/29/2005)
I guess the Nissan marketing team never saw all those TV commercials for Vesicare, a treatment for sudden URGES.
http://www.vesicare.com/
I guess the Nissan marketing team never saw all those TV commercials for Vesicare, a treatment for sudden URGES.
http://www.vesicare.com/
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Joe 10:07AM (12/29/2005)
Or the driver can maneuver their way through the streets of New York, park the car and walk to something worthwhile... How long after the release of a vehicle like this do you think it would take for consoles and steering wheels to be stolen? Just like anytime you make a highly sought after item standard on the entire line of a specific model; ask Nissan about their decision to make all of the lights of the Maxima Xenon HID's... Once would-be thieves learned that, my friend found he couldn't keep headlights on his car for more than 6 months at a time...
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Rene Curry 10:37AM (12/29/2005)
Two thingsOne, the car is the worse concept car I have seen in a long time. Two, what good is it when your technology is outdated. Hey my car has an intergrated Atari 2600 !!!! How to upgrade that???
How to intergrate electronics into cars is the next challenge for the automotive world.
I thing the industry needs to adopt a modular dash with standard rack sizing. The electronic industry could then design their products to fit that footprint. Then the cars electronics can keep up with technology without having to redesign the workings of the car every year. The additional electronics should function independent of the vehicles system.
I would even design a pathway along the tunnel to get wiring into the trunk. In the trunk I would have further modular designs to house additional electronics.
The Gen X/Y crowd that cant afford new cars can at least upgrade the electronics on their used cars if the cars had the modular system. Then when they can afford a new car, they will buy the car that has the modular set-up.
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Frank 10:53AM (12/29/2005)
What a bunch of BS. Look at the pictures at this site:
http://news.spong.com/detail/news.asp?prid=9457
Look at picture 7 with the 360 in the "Trunk", Nissan just got a 360 put it on a block and took a picture. If your gonna integrate at least make it a presentable one. Nissan is just tring to get some publicity for such an ugly car.
It would be better if the screen is projected on the glass of the car and the cars mirrors had lcd's behind the mirror. That way you get the feeling of driving in the car when it's not moving, not looking at some small 7" screen that you need to break you neck with.
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Doogs 11:22AM (12/29/2005)
Uhh, why are we all freaking out? This is a concept car. It isn't like it is going to go into production tomorrow (or ever).
Sure its ugly, but so are a lot of other early design concepts. Particularly from the Japanese brands.
As for the XBox 360 and its prominent treatment, come on. Does anybody really think Nissan thought "hey, let's put a video game system in the car!"? I'd bet Microsoft donated the system, along with one for every member of the design staff, and paid Nissan a good chunk of change to tie it in with a concept car to build "buzz". Probably explains the fugly paint job, too.
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Andrew Pierce 11:53AM (12/29/2005)
Um... what's with the "69" button? Do the seats reconfigure if you feel the 'urge'?
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Brian Lichvar 5:08PM (1/12/2006)
The Urge is exactly what I've been waiting for for a long time(minus the goofy X-Box part) A small lightweight sports car with decent power and RWD. I love the new MX-5 but the Urge styling just grabs my attention. Those fenders would be the first to go.....to make room for wider ones along with the fat meat that would be under them!
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