Another Interactive Mercedes-Benz film - "Drive & Seek"

Mercedes have just launched another interactive film on their website to showcase the C-Class coupe. Much like the interactive film they did for the new SLK, users have the opportunity to engage with the various feature available for the car, as well as giving Mercedes an opportunity for lead generation.
The interactive version can be found by clicking here.

There's also a more "traditional" version of the film on Mercedes' official YouTube channel.

High production value as well as being outrageously over the top, but interesting to see this form of interactive film being utilised by Mercedes in such quick succession after the SLK effort.

Via - Autoblog

The Art of Progress - Audi A8

Audi's newly updated flagship sedan in the A8 has now got communications backing. It's interesting to see the idea of vorsprung/progress interpreted in various different ways to align the product's positioning with that of the intended target market. Where Audi's executions differ from many other premium auto-manufacturers, however, is that they don't seem to only pay homage to the mentality of their market, but push further in their executions to ensure that their ideal drivers' aspirations are reflected. The scene with a young, funky looking DJ would probably not be found in communications for other cars aimed at the older business executives.

Another great execution from Audi.

Via - YouTube

Tissot Brings Augmented Reality To Point Of Sale

Tissot has partnered with Harrod's by installaing an interactive window display that enables consumers to virtually ‘try on’ watches from both the Ladies and T-Touch men’s collection, complete with a fully interactive touch screen that allows potential customers to experience the wider Tissot range range in an innovative and fresh way.

Whilst the idea and execution is no doubt highly engaging and interactive, the paper wristbands do somewhat detract from the premium nature of the watch brand, in my opinion...

Below is a video showcasing the many positive responses from potential purchasers, so perhaps my opinion doesn't matter much, in this instance.

Via - Luxuo

Augmented Reality Film

The Witness claims to be the first film to take place on the "outernet", blending drama with real life interactivity through a specially designed iPhone app, where participants either inadvertently saves the day or becomes the villain of the story as a result of a series of decisions they make along the way.


In order to participate, German viewers would apply online, where "winners" got to enter a real-life version of the movie in which they play a role, using their phones to watch snippets of the film that play out like a virtual layer over the physical environment they are in.

Via - YouTube

Mercedes' Transparent Wall

As an attempt at communicating Mercedes Benz's Pre-Safe philosophy, the brand commissioned a part commercial/part installation to further lay claim to the brand's claims to innovations

The installation required a mounted camera on one side of a wall, with a projector displaying any cars, bicyclists or pedestrians on the adjacent wall. The effect literally allows drivers to see around the corner, and while it's not a perfect representation of the Pre Safe system. Below is a more demonstrative video:

Via - YouTube

VW Virtual Test Drive

VW have introduced a new iPhone app that aims to demonstrate to prospective customers on some of the company's newer technologies

To use the app, participants hold their iPhone above a VW ad in a magazine or newspaper with a road printed on it. Following the curve of the road with the phone shows how some of the car's safety features respond to real-world driving conditions.

The app allows users to switch between modes. For example, in the Adaptive Lights mode, the headlights on your virtual VW will follow the curve of the road. In Lane Assist mode, the phone vibrates when your car gets too close to the edge of the virtual road. There's also an Adaptive Cruise Control mode, which puts a second virtual car in front of your VW and keeps them an equal distance apart as you move across the page.

Via - Autoblog

Removing The Boundaries Between The Real & The Virtual

It's often easier to imagine concept cars as the manifestation of talented designers' vision on paper. And when a car looks as futuristic and the concept behind the design so intangible and ground breaking, as was the case with the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept shown at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, it's almost impossible to think that the manufacturers would make a working prototype to give people a taste of things to come.

BMW did it, and below is a behind the scenes video that proves it.

Via - AOL Autos

Ritz- Carlton Transforms Cadillac Experience

Cadillac was recently named the best automotive brand for customer service by J.D. Power and Associates in the US, rising from the number-two spot it occupied last year.

The key behind the brand's success was due in part to a revolutionalised training for sales associate in collaboration with Ritz-Carlton service consultants. According to GM, Cadillac partnered with the luxury hotelier on its first series of training programs, called "Defining Moments" aimed at elevating the customer experience.

Via - Luxist

Cash, Credit Card Or BMW Key?

Contactless payment transaction systems have already been in existence for some time now. But thanks to innovations from BMW, these transaction systems may see more ubiquitous presence going forward.

By integrating the necessary technology into the BMW key itself, drivers will be able to unlock far more than just their cars in future. Below is a short clip from IDG News Service that gives you a hint of the convenience this may provide for you.

Via - Autoblog

Interact With Ads - There's An App For That

In support of the new Honda Jazz campaign, the Japanese automotive brand has launched an iPhone app that allows viewers to participate and influence the commercial.

The app lets viewers catch and play with the characters as they appear in the Honda Jazz spot, whether it's being viewed on TV, a computer or iPhone. The goal: try to catch them all, and watch for some "unpredictable extras" — and, of course, keep Honda Jazz top of mind.

Via - YouTube

BMW With Electric Speed

When Croatian Mate Rimac's engine gave up on his E30 3 Series, he decided that instead of replacing the engine or sell the remainder to the scrap yard, he would go about creating an electric BMW using nothing but off the shelf parts.

The fourth and latest incarnation of his project, which took him two years to build, is a spectacular machine cabable of beating most cars in a straight-line drag race. The car's output stands at 900 bhp and travels to 100km/h in around 3.3 seconds. And depending on how furiously he drives it, can allegedely travel around 160km on each charge.

It's certainly proved it's speed - out-dragging a new Tesla below!

Via - Autoblog

Suits To Transport - BMW

BMW's design projects for students continue to inspire creative and surprising results that will and should change the way we see mobility in future.

The results of the latest initiative, in collaboration with the European Institute of Design in Barcelona, have been unveiled and dubbed as "Suits to Transport" - a unique mixture of mobility and fashion presented in highly creative designs.





The "Comme des Voitures" below would enable an inhabitant of urban cities moving n boots soled with large ball-bearings, with an element of virtual information over-layed on the experience with ambient and real time information on the intelligent visor.


Via - Barcelona Daily Photo

Future Of Mobility & BMW

BMW is about to release series of four films about the future of mobility, where it could lead and how it could be shaped.

Each documentary will be released once a week online,and features interviews with trend-setters, designers, engineers, scientists and pioneers.

Below is a trailer that has already been released - and looks set to be very interesting as a series.

Via - BMW Activate The Future

Mercedes Powered By "Tweet-Fuel"

Mercedes Benz US recently launched a social media stunt driven by the twitter platform.

The idea revolves around a challenge for four teams of two from around the US who have been picked to race Dallas at Cowboys Stadium - with one team each leaving from New York, Tampa, Chicago and Los Angeles. Mercedes' ultimate goal is to achieve a combined 7087730 followers through the challenge.

Each team needs to collect something Mercedes is calling "tweet fuel", which will help push the team a little bit further in their respective vehicles, with NY behind the wheel of a 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic, Tampa driving a 2011 E550 Cabriolet, Chicago getting the keys to a 2011 GL350 BlueTec and LA will use a 2011 S400 Hybrid.

If they "win," each member will receive a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.

Via - Mercedes Benz

Less Is More For Levi's

Levi's assessed the resources used in the manufacturing process of 501 denim in 2007 and discovered its jeans were, like the human body, mostly made of water.

Over the lifetime of its jeans, from the cotton fields to consumer to the laundry machine, an average pair of Levi's was found to use up 3480 liters of water, or"the equivalent of running a garden hose for 106 minutes."

Realising that it was difficult to change the behaviour of cotton farmers and consumers alike, Levi's decided to make a difference themselves.

The innovation in an attempt to save water in the manufacturing process has resulted in the Levi's Waterwill cost the same as the original Levi's, but will use 28% less water in the finishing process, which when multiplied by the 1.5 million pairs Levi's expects to sell this year, adds up to 16 million fewer liters of water consumed.

Via - Levi's

Adidas + Intel = New Spin On Retail

Intel, in partnership with Adidas, has launched a spectacular virtual display that renders products in 3-D, and allows a shopper to spin and zoom in on the shoes, and call up specs from a touch-screen display.


Supplemented by a supply of actual shoes that can serve as fit models, the display wall allows retailers to deliver massive inventory in a relatively small space.

The clever use of technology can really catapult traditional retailers into more interactive and immersive experiences for shoppers and is the closest any brand has come to combining e-commerce and traditional retail.

Via - FastCompany

Environmental Disaster = GM Opportunity

With BP's environmental disaster now in the past, GM has reportedly devised a way to turn oil-soaked plastic boom used by the oil giant to soak up the spilled oil into plastic resin that that will be used for under-the-hood parts in the recently released extended range electric Volt.

In a collaborative effort with various companies, Heritage Environmental, who are collecting the used boom, as well as Mobile Fluid Recovery, tasked with eliminating absorbed oil and water with a high-speed drum that spins the booms until they are dry, and Lucent Polymers making the material appropriate for plastic die-mold production, and finally GDC Inc. combining the plastic resin with other plastic compounds to make the car components. The end product is a set of parts (25 percent boom material, 25 percent recycled tires) used to deflect air around the Volt's radiator.

GM will continue to use booms until the recovery process is completed, in approximately two months. Ultimately, the company estimates that its work will result in the upcycling of 100 miles of boom from the Alabama and Louisiana coasts--and produce over 100,000 pounds of plastic resin for Volt components.

Via - Fastcompany

Absolut App Driven By QR

Absolut, the premium vodka brand, has introduced a neck collar incorporating Quick Response (QR) technology, in a bid to distribute its Drinkspiration app to consumers.


Launched in 2009, Absolut Drinkspiration combines mobile technology with social media interaction and user generated content. It is an encyclopaedia of illustrated recipes that allows users to browse drink recipes or receive personalised recommendations based on a variety of preferences such as desired taste, colour, spirit, time of the day, weather, bar vibe, or what is popular.

The initial drive will see QR-tagged neck collars on 200,000 bottles of Absolut and Absolut Naturals in the UK, which will allow iPhone users to download the application instantly and free of charge just by hovering their mobiles over the code.

Via - Marketing Magazine UK

Hybrid On The Cheap

The 39th richest man in the world, Mikhail Prokhorov, made his billions in finance and precious metal production. The billionaire's latest venture involves spending close to $200 million in an attempt at building and selling petrol electric hybrid vehicles for the Russian market.


The two-door ë-mobile (pronounced "Yo-mobile") will source all of its parts from Russia and former Soviet Union nations, and costing approximately $10,000 when it is released in 2012.

The ultra-cheap hybrid will come standard with a loud engine, negating the need to install extra sound and noise output now required by the US for all hybrid cars for safety purposes, and will achieve a top speed of 130 kilometres per hour, with fuel efficiency said to be around 3,5 litres per 100 kilometres.

Via - Fastcompany

Volvo Fights For Clean Air

Volvo's latest campaign in the UK, “‘Fight for Your Right to Clean Air”, draws attention to the number of premature UK deaths due to poor air quality linked with fossil fuel combustion (approximately 50,000, according to the campaign).

The automaker, taking some responsibility for those deaths, is currently developing an environmental rating system which they hope to implement for every vehicle on the road. It’s also launched petitions to lobby the government, and developed an iPhone app to help you choose the most emissions-neutral car.

According to some automotive insiders, in a few years, Volvo’s cars will be topping these ratings, and the company is essentially building a framework that it’s going to excel in — in effect, seeding a need.

Via - Facebook