Nissan and Microsoft call on next gen engineers to envisage future of 'connected cars'

United Kingdom

Ben Bold

December 16, 2014

How long?

1 minute

Nissan and Microsoft call on next gen engineers to envisage future of 'connected cars'

Nissan has joined forces with Microsoft in a project to inspire the UK's next generation of engineers, calling on entrants to conceive new ideas for "connected" cars.

Nissan and Microsoft: one of the three finalists in the companies' Project Innovation

The two companies have already chosen three finalists, who took part in a two-day workshop involving tech experts from Nissan and Microsoft.

The eventual winner of Project Innovation will be invited to visit the joint R&D facilities automotive group and technology giant.

The finalists are: John Scott, who proposed Journey Portal, an app that reads road signs and records car journey information; Aaron Daubney, whose idea centred around a time-saving transparent windscreen display allowing drivers to review schedules and send emails; and Sam Furniss, who put forward a karaoke system to link drivers to one another during traffic jams.

UK consumers are being invited to visit the to examine the ideas and vote for their favourite, with the winning project being announced on 29 December.

The winner will visit Nissan’s and Microsoft’s Seattle-based R&D operations, where they can view first-hand the research being conducted into the future of automotive, software and hardware.

Guillaume Masurel, Nissan Motor GB’s marketing director, said: "Innovation is at the heart of what we do at Nissan as we continuously strive to improve the driving experience for our customers.

"Project Innovation provided a platform for budding engineers and motoring enthusiasts to discuss ideas that could transform the automotive industry and I am really excited by the ideas and concepts put forward by our three finalists."

Owen Sagness, general manager advertising and online at Microsoft, said: "The public engagement experienced with Project Innovation, and the success of the recent workshop, demonstrates the talent and enthusiasm the UK has for innovation, technology and R&D."

"The programme has provided John, Aaron and Sam with an excellent opportunity to work alongside industry leaders and develop their skills. What’s more, they’ve had the opportunity to work on ideas involving the cross-channel technologies that will increasingly impact consumer engagement as Internet of Things (IoT) technologies become more established," he said.