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Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar stars in new Forza Horizon 5 game (w/VIDEO)

At the all-digital gamescom 2021 this week, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios are showcasing an all-new Forza Horizon 5 gameplay with the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE ‘Forza Horizon Edition’ as the star. The unique Forza Horizon Edition possible has an exclusive body livery that emphasises its unique character and makes it clear that this car will not be available for purchase in the real world. In addition to the Forza Horizon Edition, the AMG hypercar can also be configured in other equipment and colours.

The virtual counterpart of the hypercar with Formula 1 drive technology is presented in extremely detailed graphics and the currently highest fidelity in the digital world. Players are immersed in a hyper-real open world in which the landscape of Mexico is recreated.

The special experience of driving the ultimate top model from the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz is also amazingly realistic. Virtual acceleration, braking, steering and agility as well as active aerodynamics correspond to the features of the actual model which has yet to be launched.

Close cooperation between Mercedes-AMG and Microsoft’s Forza team has enabled hyper-realistic representation of the special features of the unique 2-door car. With the different ‘Track’ and ‘Road’ driving programmes, dusty tracks in Mexico can be mastered just as dynamically as asphalt highways. The active aerodynamics of the hypercar are also meticulously recreated. The gaming community can look forward to breathtaking driving performance, with more than 1,000 ps of virtual power and a digital top speed of over 350 km/h.

“The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is strictly limited to 275 units in the real world. We’re delighted that there’s now a perfect digital variant exclusively in Forza Horizon 5. Thanks to our close cooperation with Microsoft, we can now virtually offer the unique driving experience of our hypercar to a large group of enthusiasts in the best and most impressive way currently available on the gaming scene,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

“We have featured Mercedes-AMG vehicles in every Forza game; however, this is the first time we’ve partnered to feature a Mercedes-AMG vehicle on the cover of a Forza game. I cannot imagine a more exciting car to start with than the amazing Mercedes-AMG Project ONE,” added Alan Hartman, Vice-President of Forza Racing Franchise, Xbox Game Studios. He added that other performance vehicles from Mercedes-AMG are also available in Forza Horizon 5.

Forza Horizon 5, the follow-up the popular simulator released in 2018, the open-world Forza Horizon 4 driving, takes the Horizon Festival to the very realistic and vibrantly presented Mexico. Featuring the largest, most diverse open world ever in a Forza Horizon game, Forza Horizon 5 is set against a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape with nearly limitless driving action across living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons and a towering snow-capped volcano – the highest point ever in a Horizon game. The game will be available globally on November 9 for the current consoles of the Xbox family, including Windows PC.

Revealed in 2017, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is still under development. It will be a road-legal hypercar with only 275 units to be produced, Each one is priced from 2.28 million euros (around RM11.38 million) and all have already been booked.

Increased track testing for Mercedes-AMG Project ONE prototype

Cruise, with GM and Honda, team up with Microsoft for commercialization of self-driving vehicles

*To know more about promotions at BHPetrol stations, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.*

Cruise, a company specialising in autonomous vehicle technology, and General Motors have entered a long-term strategic relationship with Microsoft to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. The companies will bring together their software and hardware engineering skills, cloud computing capabilities, manufacturing know-how and partner ecosystem to transform transportation to create a safer, cleaner and more accessible world for everyone.

To unlock the potential of cloud computing for self-driving vehicles, Cruise will leverage Azure, Microsoft’s cloud and edge computing platform, to commercialize its unique autonomous vehicle solutions at scale. Microsoft, as Cruise’s preferred cloud provider, will also tap into Cruise’s deep industry expertise to enhance its customer-driven product innovation and serve transportation companies across the globe through continued investment in Azure.

*Cruise test vehicles are adapted from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.*

Accelerating digitization initiatives
In addition, GM will work with Microsoft as its preferred public cloud provider to accelerate its digitization initiatives, including collaboration, storage, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. GM will explore opportunities with Microsoft to streamline operations across digital supply chains, foster productivity and bring new mobility services to customers faster.

Cruise will also send its self-driving vehicles to Japan and start development for testing this year as part of Honda’s new mobility business. This is a collaborative venture with Cruise and GM on self-driving vehicles for its autonomous vehicle mobility service (MaaS) business in Japan,

Autonomous vehicle mobility service
In due course, Honda aims to launch its MaaS business using the Cruise Origin, a vehicle the three companies are jointly developing exclusively for autonomous vehicle mobility service businesses. Honda Mobility Solutions Co., Ltd., will be the operator of the business in Japan.

“This collaboration with Cruise will enable the creation of new value for mobility and people’s daily lives, which we strive for under Honda’s 2030 Vision of serving people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life’s potential. Through active collaboration with partners who share the same interests and aspirations, Honda will continue to accelerate the realization of our autonomous vehicle MaaS business in Japan,” said Takahiro Hachigo, President & Representative Director of Honda Motor.

“Cruise’s mission to provide safer, cleaner and more accessible transportation is not limited to the USA. These are major changes that are needed almost everywhere in the world, and this is a small, but symbolic step with Honda on our global journey,” added Dan Ammann, CEO of Cruise.

Cruise was established in 2013 and has fully integrated manufacturing resources at scale, building all-electric, zero-emission, self-driving vehicles, especially for dense urban settings.

Human drivers use two eyes, autonomous cars need three eyes

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Human Horizons HiPhi X being readied for launch at Beijing Auto Show next month

It’s been a year since Human Horizons, a company based in China, unveiled its HiPhi concept electric vehicle (EV). When it made its global debut, the EV was described as a ‘premium supercar-inspired electric SUV’; this year, it has become an ‘Evolvable Super SUV’, said to be representative of a new generation of intelligent EVs.

Like many EVs, the HiPhi X has a sharp profile to slip through the air. Because it uses entirely new architecture, its design is not constrained by ‘legacy structures’ of earlier EVs. Measuring 5.2 metres long, its lightweight hybrid aluminium construction will complement the concept of sustainability with the adoption of vegan leather and the use of recyclable materials.

AI developed with Microsoft
With a virtually clean start, the designers have been able to incorporate many features which draw heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for functioning and occupant comfort. The advanced, highly-personalized onboard AI assistant, known as HiPhiGo, has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft. HiPhiGo is highly sensory, with an array of intelligent functions, including a level of reasoning and continuous learning whilst interacting with its occupants, the surrounding environment and a multitude of vehicle parameters.

This new breed of self-learning smart vehicle has a ‘neural network’ consisting of 6 “super brain” domain controllers, connected by 1G Ethernet, which provides a higher transmission rate than traditional CAN networks. HiPhiGo is able to analyse massive amounts of information and make decisions utilizing cloud computing with a powerful data analysis engine, which results in a truly intelligent and smart vehicle.

Level 3 autonomous capability
As would be expected, the HiPhi X – which can seat 6 persons – will be able to operate autonomously. Initially, Level 3 autonomous driving will be available. Level 3 autonomous capability is the start of truly autonomous motoring where the driver can set the destination and leave the driving to the computer. However, use of the autonomous feature will only be possible on dedicated highways or lanes. The driver will also have to become ‘involved’ occasionally in complex traffic situations.

4-wheel steering will make parking easy.

In time, the HiPhi X or future models should be able to progress to the more advanced Level 5 which will allow for fully autonomous motoring where the car’s computer’s handles everything, including negotiating jams and parking by itself. That will not only depend on advancements in vehicle technology but also the public infrastructure.

RWD or AWD
For emission-free propulsion, the HiPhi X will have rear and all-wheel drive options and use 268-hp Bosch electric motors. Acceleration time is claimed to be under 4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.

Customers will be able to choose lithium-ion battery packs according to their anticipated needs. Those who do not foresee travelling out of the city could use a smaller battery pack and for those who expect to do regular long-distance travel, the 96 kWh battery pack could be specified which gives a claimed range of 610 kms.

The project is now its final phase of development with a launch planned at the Beijing Auto Show on September 26 and first deliveries to customers starting in 2021. The cars will be built in Jiangsu province to the north of Shanghai at a factory owned by a Dongfeng joint-venture with Kia.

Fate of the Furious car pack added to Forza Motorsport 7

Fans of the Fast and Furious movie franchise might have an avenue to live out their fantasies in the virtual world through the Xbox exclusive game, Forza Motorsport 7. There is a 10-car pack available for the game that has all the extreme cars featured in the 7th installment of the blockbuster movie series.

The vehicles depicted in the game are extremely accurate, right down to the colour combinations, aesthetic details and their own unique quirks. The most noteworthy and jovial addition to the car pack however, has to be the Chevrolet Fleetline Special.

It was a vintage vehicle use by character Dominic Torreto to compete in an epic, CGI focused race in the heart of Havana, Cuba. Losing trim panels as the race progressed, the Fleetline Special was driven which such gusto while trying to avoid the baddies, that it caught fire towards the end of the race.

https://youtu.be/RmxUlJSnU4Q

Though many considered the scene a bit too far fetched, the excellently choreographed stunts and meticulous level of CGI detailing made for an enthralling movie scene, one for the Fast and Furious record books.

Besides this vehicle, there are a number of other noteworthy mentions that include the weird but functional Rally Fighter, Jaguar F-Type, Dodge Demon and a Plymouth GTX. Evidently, the movie franchise seems to cherry pick its star vehicles based on their actual appeal in the automotive world, which is a very good thing for car fans.

The Dodge Demon, is the most powerful road legal, drag-ready muscle car that is currently available to the public. It is powered by a 840bhp engine that is able to cover the quarter mile in under 10 seconds, a fitting choice for Dominic Torreto.

Known for his love of Dodge made vehicles, the movie character has used several Chargers, including the modern one, Challengers as well as a number of others. But the following is the list of 10 vehicles featured in the new car pack:

Plymouth GTX
Chevrolet Corvette
Subaru WRX STI
Local Motors Rally Fighter
Subaru BRZ
Jaguar F-Type
Chevrolet Fleetline Special
Dodge Demon
Mercedes-Benz GTS
Dodge Charger

The Fate of the Furious car pack will only be made available to those who own the Deluxe and Ultimate Edition bundles of Forza Motorsports 7. Check out the picture gallery below and admire the vehicles that will be featured in the Forza Motorsport 7 game.

Ford uses virtual technology to design future vehicles

The future of vehicle design is here and Ford, is one of the first automakers to have accepted it with open arms. This type of hologram technology enables designers and engineers to collaborate on design and construction efforts for any given project.

Relatively unchanged since the early days of the automobile, designers have had to resort to building clay models of new vehicles in order to truly assess their practicality. And in recent years, 3D modelling has helped somewhat in terms of lowering production time.

That said, the benefits of both, pail in comparison to the relative efficiency, ease of use and time saving measures that come with hologram technology. Ford has incorporated it for use on its vehicles through the use of Microsoft’s HoloLens system.

It’s an augmented reality setup that enables users/viewers to add virtual overlays to the physical world. Unlike the virtual reality fad, where a user is immersed in an enclosed virtual world, augmented reality enhances the physical one with its various systems and functions.

In order to use HoloLens, Ford designers will need to put on a special wireless headset that will overlay the virtual objects on the physical ones. It’s information is received from a PC running Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

Through this method, what used to take days, weeks or even months of communication between engineers, designers and the ‘decision makers’, efforts that involve grille designs, body panels and other elements can be created, altered and approved within hours.

This will significantly lower the cost of R&D work and its labour intensive nature, and enable automakers to shorten the time frame needed for producing a single vehicle. Many brands already employ 3D modelling to help visualise and simulate stresses on components,which have helped with crash testing.

Speaking of the HoloLens tech, Jim Holland, Ford vice president, vehicle component and systems engineering, said, “It’s amazing we can combine the old and the new – clay models and holograms – in a way that both saves time and allows designers to experiment and iterate quickly to dream up even more stylish, clever vehicles.”

“Microsoft HoloLens is a powerful tool for designers as we continue to re imagine vehicles and mobility experiences in fast-changing times,” he later added.

Ford has been using the tech for the past year in it’s Dearbon design facility in Michigan. Doing so has enabled the automaker’s legion of employees to work in a more cohesive manner and review designs or their changes more efficiently and in a manner that was inconceivable just a few years ago.

We hope that such tech is adopted across the board and that automakers are able to benefit greatly from it. This could result in better designed vehicles that are offered at a significantly cheaper price.

Porsche and Microsoft sign gaming partnership

Porsche is starting to take the virtual world more seriously as its marketing tool. The sportscar maker has signed a six year deal with Microsoft at the New York International Motorshow, which will see both companies collaborating in projects that cover racing games and electronic gaming competitions. As such, in future games from Microsoft’s Forza franchise, Porsche vehicles will receive more prominence than if ever did before. This will especially be evident in the gaming series Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon.

This partnership will allow Porsche to delve deeper into the eSports arena, which are competitions designed for gamers to compete against each other in their preferred gaming genre. This is especially true with Forza Racing Championship (ForzaRC), which is the leading eSport racing series backed by the world’s largest racing community.

ForzaRC, Porsche’s prime focus for now, is based on the current Xbox racing game Forza Motorsport 6 which already includes more than 20 Porsche vehicles since 2016. For 2017, ForzaRC will feature a motorsport championship too, where gamers from around the world can compete on the world stage. If you are interested, registration opened on 12th April 2017 at http://www.forzarc.gfinity.net/ and qualification will take place online beginning May 1st.

“By having Microsoft as our partner, we have the opportunity to take the pleasure of driving a Porsche and making it an experience in the virtual world”, says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “Racing games and eSports connect the real and virtual worlds and enable us to gain further access to the young target group. It means that they can develop a passion for Porsche even before buying their first sports car.”

As icing on the cake for the newly signed partnership, a new Porsche package can now be downloaded for Forza Horizon 3. It contains a total of seven current and historical Porsche vehicles,that are the 550A Spyder, 718 RS 60 Spyder from 1960, 911 Carrera RS 2.7 from 1973, 911 GT2 (type 993), Cayman GT4 and the 911 GT3 RS as well as the new Panamera Turbo.

So, if you own an Xbox, are into the Forza franchise and a die hard Porsche fan, you should be very happy with this partnership. You can expect to see a number of interesting projects from both companies in the near future.

Piston.my

Microsoft

Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar stars in new Forza Horizon 5 game (w/VIDEO)

Cruise, with GM and Honda, team up with Microsoft for commercialization of self-driving vehicles

Human Horizons HiPhi X being readied for launch at Beijing Auto Show next month

Fate of the Furious car pack added to Forza Motorsport 7

Ford uses virtual technology to design future vehicles

Porsche and Microsoft sign gaming partnership

Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar stars in new Forza Horizon 5 game (w/VIDEO)

Cruise, with GM and Honda, team up with Microsoft for commercialization of self-driving vehicles

Human Horizons HiPhi X being readied for launch at Beijing Auto Show next month

Fate of the Furious car pack added to Forza Motorsport 7

Ford uses virtual technology to design future vehicles

Porsche and Microsoft sign gaming partnership

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