CES 2017: Honda, DreamWorks Animation Partner Up To Bring Virtual Reality Experience In Cars

Honda announced today that it has collaborated with DreamWorks Animation to demonstrate new augmented and virtual reality content and solutions test bed for the in-vehicle experience. Honda will demonstrate a proof of concept version of its Honda Dream Drive in-car virtual reality prototype featuring DreamWorks Animation content at CES.

CES attendees are invited to experience Dream Drive at the Honda booth during show hours.

The Honda and DreamWorks alliance will focus on creating a software development kit that fuses live telematics data to feed in-vehicle entertainment, education and information applications that are contextually synchronized with the motion of the vehicle in real-time. The initiative brings to life the Honda Dream Drive prototype, which enables passengers to gaze into other worlds while riding as passengers in Honda vehicles.

"Entertainment in the car is rapidly changing as consumers rely more and more on personal devices and Honda sees new opportunities to create unique experiences for our customers," said John Moon, Developer Relations Lead at Honda Developer Studio. "The collaboration with DreamWorks enables Honda to enhance the in-vehicle experience through new ways of delivering information and entertainment."

Honda Dream Drive uses a VR headset to immerse passengers in a virtual reality world triggered by the motion of the vehicle. CES attendees will have the opportunity to experience the proof of concept prototype, featuring content from DreamWorks' recent animated movie "Trolls."

"We see the cabin of an automobile as an untapped platform for delivering entertaining and educational experiences to consumers," said DreamWorks Animation's Chief Animation Technology Officer Jeff Wike. "Working with Honda has enabled us to bring our collective talent together to explore and identify opportunities in adapting and creating new forms of consumer engagement."

Honda originated the alliance with DreamWorks Animation through the Honda Developer Studio, its Silicon Valley-based open innovation initiative. DreamWorks regularly collaborates with innovators to push the boundaries of interactive and digital entertainment with other leading companies. The goal with Dream Drive is to move beyond entertainment in the vehicle to entertainment for the vehicle.

"The idea is to evolve from parallel play to connected, cooperative play that connects passengers and drivers to their drive, each other and the world around them," said Bryan Biniak, Entrepreneur in Residence at Nokia Growth Partners and co-developer of the Honda Dream Drive experience. "We want vehicle time to include the ability to have heads-up interactive entertainment, educational and informational experiences as well as increased personal productivity."