Last fall, Nissan introduced future mobility concepts developed by the company’s advances planning team. Among them was the Pedestrian on Wheels, a three-passenger sustainable vehicle designed to work in a fully planned new city (such as…
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News: car brand Nissan has unveiled a revised design for its new London taxi to replace the city’s famous black cabs, having altered the look of the vehicle in an attempt “to better reflect the iconic nature of the traditional black cab” (+ slideshow).
The Nissan NV200 London Taxi will replace the UK capital’s iconic TX4 taxis from December 2014 and the Japanese firm unveiled the redesign this morning at the firm’s European design centre in Paddington, west London.
The vehicle is based on a van but has been remodelled since its launch in August 2012, when it was criticised for being simply a black version of the firm’s taxis in New York, Barcelona and Tokyo.
“In response to feedback from the London Mayor’s office, Transport for London and other key organisations which have put their backing behind the new taxi, Nissan has redesigned the vehicle to better reflect the iconic nature of the traditional black cab,” the company said.
The new bespoke design for London features round headlamps, a remodelled grille and new front bumper panels. The update also ditches the previous diesel engine for a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an automatic gearbox, available from December 2014, and a zero-emissions electric version will be available in 2015.
“Having already overcome the unique technical challenges presented by the development of a new Hackney Carriage for London ahead of our launch of the vehicle in August 2012, we turned our attention to making the vehicle look the part,” said Nissan’s design excellence manager Darryl Scriven. “The main challenges were concerned with making sure customers can easily recognise it as a taxi.”
“The Mayor’s office and taxi drivers were very keen that we maintain the character of the Hackney Carriage, making it something that people in the city can be proud of,” he added.
The NV200 seats five passengers including two flip-down seats facing the rear, access for wheelchairs and sliding doors for easy access in narrow spaces, and it adheres to Transport for London regulations requiring a 7.6-metre turning circle. The vehicles will be produced in Barcelona and assembled in London.
The new Nissan launch comes less than a year after Chinese brand Geely bought the makers of the traditional TX4 taxis Manganese Bronze, which still designs taxis using a similar basic structure to the first black cab from 1948, in a deal worth £11 million. The takeover followed the Coventry-based company going into administration in 2012.
There are currently around 20,000 black cabs – or hackney carriages – on the streets of London, but many will have to be retired as strict new emissions rules come into force.
The post Nissan updates its new London taxi design
to make it “easier to recognise” appeared first on Dezeen.
Auto designers are part of a very small community, and those who rise to the top to direct the design of an entire brand (or multiple brands) always intrigue us. By nature, these talented people command the attention of the designers that work…
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Automotive brand Nissan has unveiled the first smartwatch concept to communicate with a car, providing drivers with real-time information such as average speed and heart rate (+ movie).
The Nismo Watch will connect with Nissan‘s Nismo vehicle range, enabling drivers to keep track of their speed and fuel consumption to help improve efficiency.
Racing drivers will be able to use the watch to access performance statistics while on track. Data from the car and wearer will be transmitted to a smartphone app via bluetooth, where it will be stored.
The watch will also track and rate the user’s social media activity across Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram via Nissan’s Social Speed software.
“Wearable technology is fast becoming the next big thing and we want to take advantage of this innovative technology to make our Nismo brand more accessible,” said Gareth Dunsmore, the brand’s Marketing Communications General Manager.
The interface will be controlled by two buttons on the smooth band, which will secure to the wrist with a snap-fit mechanism and come in black, white, or a combination of black and red.
A lithium battery will have a life of over seven days and charge by micro-USB. Packaging for the watch will be made using rubber from racetrack tyres.
Nissan has also set up a mobile laboratory to develop and test additional features for its wearable technology.
It is hoped these new features will be able to monitor biometrics including heart rhythm intervals to identify when drivers are becoming tired, brainwaves to track concentration levels and emotions, plus skin temperature to record core body temperature and hydration levels.
The concept was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this week, close behind electronics brand Samsung‘s announcement about its own smartwatch.
Google is set to launch its Google Glass augmented reality eyewear in 2014, which the UK government wants to ban for drivers amid safety concerns.
Apple is also rumoured to be working on a smartwatch that might take the form of a slap bracelet with a video display patented by the company earlier this year. See more wearable technology »
Here are more details from Nissan:
Nissan enters wearable technology space with the unveil of the Nismo watch concept
Nissan launches first smartwatch to connect car and driver performance.
First smartwatch concept to connect driver and car Nismo Watch showcases Nissan’s intent to deliver biometric data that enhances driver performance and efficiency Nissan is investigating heart and brain monitoring technologies for future wearable tech.
Nissan will become the first car manufacturer to create a smartwatch designed specifically for drivers of Nissan Nismo cars. The Nissan Nismo Concept Watch will be the first smartwatch to connect a driver to the car and will provide drivers with real-time biometric data.
The watch, unveiled today ahead of its display at the Frankfurt Motor Show (10-22 September 2013), is Nissan’s first step into wearable technology and epitomises its “fan first” approach to performance.
The Nissan Nismo Watch will allow drivers to: monitor the efficiency of their vehicle with average speed and fuel consumption readings; access vehicle telematics and performance data while on track; capture biometric data via a heart rate monitor; connect to the car using a smartphone app via Bluetooth Low Energy; receive tailored car messages from Nissan.
Gareth Dunsmore, Marketing Communications General Manager, Nissan in Europe, commented: “Wearable technology is fast becoming the next big thing and we want to take advantage of this innovative technology to make our Nismo Brand more accessible. On track, Nissan uses the latest biometric training technologies to improve the performance of our Nissan Nismo Athletes and it is this technology we want to bring to our fans to enhance their driving experience and Nismo ownership.”
Earlier this year, Nissan launched the Nismo Lab – a bespoke, mobile laboratory that features the latest, advanced biometric training tools such as brainwave technology and JukeRide – a cutting-edge performance analysis tool, that captures live biometric and telematics data from the race cars and Nissan Nismo Athletes during races. Nismo’s vision is to take these digital age technologies and make them available to athletes from other disciplines and to Nissan owners through future wearable tech.
Three key technologies have already identified for future development: ECG (Electrocardiogram) – to measure the intervals of the R-R rhythm of the heart, and identify early fatigue; EEG (Electroencephalogram) Brainwave – to monitor the drivers’ levels of concentration and emotions, and help athletes to get ‘In The Zone’; Skin Temperature – to record core body temperature and hydration levels; The Nismo Watch will also track and rate the user’s social performance across Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram via Nissan’s proprietary Social Speed software.
The sleek Nismo Watch will be available in three colours – black, white and the flagship black and red. The watch design was inspired by the Nismo ring and is reflected in a seamless, futuristic and ergonomic design. The simple user interface can be controlled by two buttons and is secured onto the driver’s wrist via a simple snap-fit mechanism.
Even the packaging will have a unique Nismo identity. Dunsmore concluded: “We have brought the Nismo experience to life in every aspect of the watch, including its packaging, which will be made using tyres and rubber from the racetrack. As Nismo is the performance arm of Nissan, we wanted a way of integrating Nismo’s heritage in racing into this futuristic innovation.”
The Nismo Watch will use a lithium battery and will be charged by micro-USB, with a battery life of over seven days under normal usage conditions.
The post Nismo smartwatch
by Nissan appeared first on Dezeen.
Un très réussi nouveau spot pour la nouvelle campagne et le 4ème chapitre de la saga “Nissan Qashqai”. Réalisé par le collectif français Pleix, le film a été illustré par Mc Bess apportant une touche urbaine grâce à ses personnages. La musique est signée Hanni El Khatib – Human Fly.
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Un très réussi nouveau spot pour la nouvelle campagne et le 4ème chapitre de la saga “Nissan Qashquai”. Réalisé par le collectif français Pleix, le film a été illustré par Mc Bess apportant une touche urbaine grâce à ses personnages. La musique est signée Hanni El Khatib – Human Fly.
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Avec ce spot joliment réalisé “The Value of Zero”, Nissan fait la promotion de sa voiture Leaf 100% électrique. Reprenant tous les éléments autour de nous qui représente le zéro, cette création permet de faire comprendre que la voiture ne consomme pas d’essence.
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Présenté dans le cadre du 81ème salon de Genève, voici ce concept-car du constructeur Nissan avec le modèle Esflow, une voiture coupé électrique au design sportif et aux lignes fluides. L’ensemble est doté de deux moteurs électriques pour une propulsion totale de 220 chevaux.
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Le constructeur japonais Nissan vient de dévoiler les premières images du concept “Townpod”, un prototype de véhicule urbain 100 % électrique. Un compromis entre une berline et un véhicule professionnel avec un look décalé. Plus de visuels dans la suite de l’article.
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