Autoblog

Toyota turning Nintendo DS into navigation system

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Toyota, Toys/Games

Video games are already an easy target for politicians, what with their amazing ability to turn both brains and muscles to jelly while also promoting violence and other sociopathic behaviors. So we can only wonder at the political grandstanding that might accompany this development: The Nintendo DS can now be used to control a Toyota navigation system.

Yes, that's right, if you can pull yourself away from drawing evil kittens on your DS - and you live in Japan - you can pair it via Bluetooth, and use it to input destinations and display a speedometer on the DS, according to Kotaku. The Kuruma de DS game card also gives your handheld gaming device the ability to broadcast its audio through the car's stereo system.

The software is designed to be used by passengers - of course - but we're sure it's only a matter of time before Japan experiences its first I-was-just-using-my-DS-to-program-my-nav crash. Kotaku says the game card is being sold by Toyota dealers for about $92.

Toyota turning Nintendo DS into navigation system originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts

Michael Harley — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Etc., Toys/Games, Celebrities, Design/Style

Nintendo has taught millions of underage kids to drive, thanks to its immensely popular handheld Mario Kart video game. The driving routes are all virtual - thankfully - as they include not only unexpected sheer cliffs, but also driving under the water while evading baddies.

To bring part of Mario's make-believe world to life, Nintendo has partnered with West Coast Customs to create life-size models of Mario's Standard Kart and Luigi's Bumble V Kart. While the characters are forced to enjoy their rides in the hazardous Mushroom Kingdom, we checked them out in the (relative) safety of the Los Angeles Convention Center during today's LA Auto Show. Naturally, the West Coast Customs tie-in means that the karts' construction will be chronicled in an upcoming episode of the shop's reality television show.

The detail on the full-size working models is... well... interesting. Mario's kart appears to be front-wheel drive, with 18-inch wheels on the rear. Noted for its Super Glider option for cliff jumping, the attachment is mounted prominently overhead. Luigi's kart, decked-out with 16-inch wheels and disc brakes, is also front-wheel drive. It is available with a propeller to provide movement under water, but the accessory wasn't attached when we visited. If you want to read more about the vehicles and hear about the new Mario Kart 7 video game, check out the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts

Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is why Nintendo's going to the LA Auto Show

John Neff — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, LA Auto Show, Toys/Games

We were intrigued when we learned that Nintendo is holding a press conference at next week's LA Auto Show. Why would The House That Mario Built be hanging around an auto show? What sort of tie-in could Nintendo with have four wheels?

It was fun to speculate, but a press release issued today might clear things up. Nintendo of America President COO Reggie Fils-Aime and founder of West Coast Customs, Ryan Friedlinghaus, will be appearing on stage together during the second press day of the LA Auto Show to unveil an "exclusive collaboration" between their two companies.

The easy guess is that they're going to unveil a Nintendo-themed custom car of some sort. More specifically, Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS is launching on December 4th, so perhaps West Coast Customs will be pimping the Italian plumber's ride.

If that's it, color us disappointed. We'd be surprised if Nintendo is going to all this trouble just to unveil a crazy custom car with WCC. We're still holding out hope that the announcement is more substantial, perhaps involving a consumer product of some sort.

We'll let you know what we find when Nintendo takes the stage next Thursday.

Continue reading This is why Nintendo's going to the LA Auto Show

This is why Nintendo's going to the LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why is Nintendo going to the LA Auto Show?

John Neff — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Toys/Games

The LA Auto Show is less than two weeks away, which means every automaker that will be in attendance is putting the finishing touches on what their executives will say during their respective press conferences. It goes the same for each automaker: An exec will talk about sales numbers, maybe brag about some newly bestowed industry award, and then a new concept or production model will be rolled out. There is one company, however, that will likely do none of that.

If you look over the official list of press conferences for the LA Auto Show, you'll discover that Nintendo has a spot near the end of the second day. Now, companies not endemic to the auto industry have hopped up on soap boxes during auto shows before, but none from any industry we hold so dear to our hearts as video games.

What could Nintendo possibly have to say or show? We don't know. There's speculation that Nintendo could be getting into the business of automotive infotainment, but we've seen no evidence to support this hypothesis. Since Nintendo hasn't leased any space at the show, MotoworldHype guesses that it might announce some kind of partnership with an OEM. Whatever it is, Nintendo is remaining tight-lipped, saying only, "We'll have more info coming soon, but nothing more to announce at this time."

Why is Nintendo going to the LA Auto Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Rémi's real-life Mario Kart is back!

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games, Humor

Itsa him... Rémi Gaillard, bringing Mario Kart into the real world - Click above to watch video after the jump

Rémi Gaillard is at it again. You might remember the last time the Frenchman took to his local streets in a go-kart, because he did it while dressed as the Nintendo character Mario. Gaillard has stocked up on more bananas and turtle shells in a new video where he gives the real world a taste of Mario Kart.

Since the banana is such an important tool on both the offensive and defensive side of Mario Kart driving tactics, Gaillard needs to keep a few of them handy. When he runs out he simply heads to the nearest grocery store... and proceeds to drive to the produce section.

His original video, posted after the jump, has been watched over 35 million times, and the sequel is already climbing into multiple millions of views as well. Click past the jump and keep an eye out for green shells and banana peels while watching both clips of Rémi Gaillard bringing Mario Kart to life.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Rémi's real-life Mario Kart is back!

Video: Rémi's real-life Mario Kart is back! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boy saves family in car accident using Nintendo DS?

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, Australia

The Nintendo DS, a handheld video game system, can be a major time-suck for us kids of all ages. It's no surprise that the mother of seven year-old Christoper Miszkowiec wanted him to cut down on the amount of time he spends playing with one. What is surprising is that mom Kathleen has recently had a change of heart. What prompted this reversal? Christoper saved her life with his toy.

We may come across cattle, deer and a host of other animals when driving here in the States. Down in Australia, the Miszkowiec family was driving down a country road late one evening when a kangaroo hopped across their path. The car crashed into the creature, causing it to roll several times.

The father of the family was able to scramble out of the vehicle and rescue the couple's six-month old child, the youngest of three. Christoper unbuckled himself and then his five-year old brother, but Kathleen was unconscious up front. A country road is an especially dark place at night and it was impossible to see, so Christoper turned on his Nintendo DS. Using the light from the screen, he made his way to his mother and got her out of her seat to safety.

To honor the young man, Christopher Miszkowiec was part of a group that received Ambulance Victoria Community Hero awards for extraordinary life-saving acts. The award was presented at Melbourne's Parliament House.

[Source: News.com.au]

Boy saves family in car accident using Nintendo DS? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Codemasters releases details on upcoming F1 games

Noah Joseph — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toys/Games

Start saving your sick days: Codemasters is working on the next generation of Formula One racing games, and the future looks fast. The software development company responsible for such favorite racing titles as DiRT, Grid and the TOCA series obtained the rights to make the game from Formula One Management, which previously licensed the rights exclusively to EA Sports and Sony. So while previous incarnations of the official F1 game were available only on Playstation systems (PS2, PS3 and PSP), Codemasters' new game will be available across all the major formats. So if you've got a current gaming console at home, you'll have a crack at playing the new F1 sim.

Codemasters has revealed that the game will be released in two stages. First up is F1 2009, a simpler form of the game that will be available for Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP. F1 2010 will follow next year in high-definition format for Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PCs, taking full advantage of online gaming communities for head-to-head competition over the internet. Lewis Hamilton, whose contract with Sony expired in 2006 along with their exclusive rights to the game, will be headlining the new Codemasters franchise. look for the game to include all the latest F1 tech, including KERS, slicks, the latest aero rules, and all the latest tracks, including Singapore (above), Valencia and Abu Dhabi. It's times like these we're thankful that we work from home.

[Source: Autosport]

Codemasters releases details on upcoming F1 games originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota and Brain Age creator working on old people cars

Chris Shunk — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:21:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology, Lexus, Toyota

Toyota is serious about the safety of its customers, and the Japanese automaker is thinking outside the box to keep its elderly drivers on the road. To help keep the AARP demographic up to the rigors of daily driving, Toyota has hooked up with Professor Ryuta Kawashima of "Brain Age" fame, to create a driving experience that helps sharpen the mind. Among the technologies being studied to help drivers is a system that recognizes driving characteristics and applies the brakes whenever erratic behavior is detected. Swerving and accidental accelerator jabs are among the potential driving behaviors being looked at, and an interface involving the navigation screen can assist drivers along the way. Kawashima wants to make driving a stimulating brain exercise, and Toyota is dropping coin in an effort to begin realizing the cranial activity within five years. It's hard to see how applying the brakes for you will sharpen your mind, but with five years until launch we're sure Toyota isn't keen to tipping its hand to explain.

Anything that can help keep drivers and pedestrians safe is a good thing, and Kawashima's brain-sharpening exercises coupled with top tech just may do the trick. If we are to be so bold as to suggest the first vehicle to showcase this new technology, we'd like to go on record as saying that the Avalon is a great choice. Or the Camry. Or any Lexus not named IS. Well, we're sure the execs from Aichi, Japan have a better idea which direction to take than do we.

[Source: International Herald Tribune]

Toyota and Brain Age creator working on old people cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's Tetris-tastic Jazz/Fit commercial

Noah Joseph — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 20:16:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Honda

Who could forget Tetris, that most addictive and iconic of video games. Honda calls on our nostalgia with this ad for its European-market Jazz (which debuted at Detroit as the Fit for the North American market).

The jazzy TV spot shows how much you can fit in the versatile 5-door Honda hatch. (The ad's in German, though the only voice-over is for a second at the end. Wunderbar!)

(A sharp commenter on the source site pointed out a similar clip from The Simpsons. "Simpsons did it!")

[Source: paultan.org]

Honda's Tetris-tastic Jazz/Fit commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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