If nothing else, you have to give Nissan credit for thinking outside the box - sometimes literally, as in the case of this latest social media-led project.
In collaboration with European motorsport enthusiasts and ex-Formula One driver Johnny Herbert, Nissan is building a state-of-the-art Juke with its own Skycam helicopter, to help the Nismo team of talented young drivers hone their skills and push their performances to new heights, and put online fans right there in the car with them.
Led by Herbert, a team of 10 Nissan apprentices will kit the car out with the latest digital technology, including the Skycam, a remote control helicopter that docks on the roof. The Skycam's cameras will provide a unique point of view as well as ground surface, air and object trajectory analysis, to monitor every move the car makes.
PUSHING THE ENVELOPE
The resulting data will enable Nismo drivers to monitor their performance, improve their driving skills and become the best they can be. The Skycam will also capture unique content at motorsports events, giving fans access to never-before-seen perspectives of races and bringing them closer to the action.
Herbert is inviting motorsport fans to help create the car via social networking channels by sharing their ideas on Twitter, using the hashtag #jukeride. Herbert and his crew will use social technologies such as Google Hangouts and their own networks of followers to determine the technology used in the car, as well as to crowd source its name.
Follow the project on the Experience Nissan website or join in on Twitter.