Combining the immersive qualities of virtual reality with real-time vehicle data, holoride is an always-in-motion virtual space, or Motorverse, where riders can enjoy interactive and passive content that reacts to both them and the motion of the car.
“Despite amazing advances in automotive technology over the last few decades, passenger experience and in-car entertainment has remained largely the same,” said Nils Wollny, CEO and co-founder at holoride. “With the introduction of holoride, we are not only elevating that stale experience; we are redefining how you spend your time on the go. I couldn’t be more excited for riders to finally enjoy the thrills of the Motorverse for themselves.”
The integration of holoride into Audi select series vehicles is a continuation of holoride’s shared history with the German premium auto manufacturer. Since 2019, both Audi and holoride have showcased their ongoing partnership on different occasions, including CES 2019, IAA Mobility 2021, and SXSW 2022, where holoride’s vehicle integration with Audi was officially announced.
“By integrating holoride in our models, we’re redefining in-car entertainment,” said Giorgio Delucchi, Head of Digital Experience/Business at Audi. “Through combining real-time vehicle data and virtual content, we’re creating an entirely new customer experience. A crucial cornerstone of the vehicle’s digitalization is developing the interior into a third living space. In this very personal space, living and working coalesce. holoride is another proof point in our roadmap.”
At launch, holoride users will be able to dive into Cloudbreakers: Leaving Haven from Schell Games, the studio that brought Among Us to VR. It was produced in partnership with Superconductor, the creative agency founded by Hollywood talents Justin Lin (Fast & Furious franchise) and Anthony and Joe Russo (Marvel Cinematic Universe). The Russo Brothers also served as creative advisors to holoride. Brent Friedman and Jeremy Breslau, the two veteran writers of blockbuster film, TV, and game franchises wrote the Cloudbreakers’ unique universe and story. Leveraging holoride’s Elastic Content, players guide Dev, his scavenger robot Skyjack, and I.O.N.E. through the hostile skies of Stratus, gathering scrap and blasting A.I. sentries as they simultaneously travel to their real-world destination.
In addition to bringing new thrills to passengers’ rides, holoride can also create a more comfortable experience for users. Instances of motion sickness are substantially reduced thanks to the technology’s use of steering, braking, and acceleration data to match what riders see in the headset with what they feel outside the Motorverse, and with almost no latency.
holoride launches with the aptly named Pioneers’ Pack, containing everything needed to jump into this exciting new platform (minus the car), and priced at EUR 699. The package is available in Germany at shop.holoride.com starting Nov 2, 2022.
The Pioneers’ Pack includes:
- HTC VIVE Flow: lightweight and easy to wear VR glasses that supports holoride’s entertainment service
- 8BitDo Pro 2 Gamepad: offers a familiar user experience in a classic controller design
- Safety strap: connected to the seatbelt, the strap provides safety during unexpected events while driving
- A one-year subscription to the holoride platform
After the first year, holoride subscriptions will be available for a monthly fee (EUR 19.99 per month) or yearly upfront payment (equalling EUR 14.99 per month). Both options unlock access to an ever-growing content catalog. Cloudbreakers: Leaving Haven anchors the launch lineup of games and educational entertainment (“edutainment”). Further content will be added to the catalog in subsequent weeks and months. Additionally, the holoride browser and a powerful phone mirroring feature bring your online life to a 180-inch virtual screen. Embedded into a motion-synced environment, it allows riders to stream their favorite shows and stay connected via their social apps.
In order to enjoy the holoride experience, passengers will need the Pioneers’ Pack and a holoride-ready Audi vehicle (e.g., Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q7, Q8, Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi e-tron GT*). Starting with Germany, holoride will be adding further markets beginning with the U.S. in early 2023 followed by more European and Asian markets in the course of the year. BCS Bureau
