Concept cars attempt to project a vision of future travel that is as relaxing and enjoyable as kicking back in your own living room. Everyone would be a passenger, with the ability to interact with other passengers, watch immersive videos, or even play games. Of course, all of this is contingent on having a perfect self-driving system that can safely and efficiently navigate all types of roads and conditions. We’re still a long way from that ideal, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start injecting some fun into cars in the near future. Mini appears to be rising to the occasion at Gamescom with a special version of its Concept Aceman EV designed around
The Mini Aceman concept crossover, unveiled just last month, showcased the carmaker’s new design language while also representing the company’s intention to go all-electric by 2030. The Aceman, Mini’s first electric crossover, was designed with a vision of how future cars will not only look but also be built. The car was specifically designed to use fewer resources in its production, particularly unsustainable materials like leather and chrome.
What distinguishes the Mini Aceman is its fabric-covered interior surfaces, which are made from knitted recycled textiles. These surfaces serve as an ideal canvas for Aceman’s built-in ceiling projector, which can overlay images and information on the fabric, effectively transforming it into a makeshift projector screen. Mini is expanding on this feature by collaborating with The Pokemon Company to transform the Aceman into an electrifying entertainment experience.
Pikachu, I choose you!
The custom Mini Aceman concept introduces a Pokemon mode that literally puts Pikachu front and center. When activated, the rodent (yes, it’s a mouse) takes over the main display of your vehicle, transforming it into a lively representation of your vehicle’s stats. The in-cabin projector then superimposes images of lightning bolts to represent the Pokemon’s element, which feels appropriate for an all-electric vehicle like the Aceman.
There is, however, one other difference between this version of the concept and the one unveiled in July. The Pokemon Aceman concept adds an exterior projector that you can use to watch or rewatch Pokemon shows — assuming, of course, that you have the right conditions, such as an extremely dark area and a flat surface to project the video on.
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The Mini x Pokemon collaboration is definitely intriguing, and it could serve as a model for how future cars can more easily become advertising opportunities. The ability to instantly change the atmosphere inside the cabin by switching themes would be almost on par with how smartphones and computers can be customized today. The Pikachu-themed Aceman instills a sense of playfulness without providing built-in games that could endanger drivers and passengers. Of course, you could probably connect a console or computer to the exterior projector to play games, potentially making long trips more enjoyable, at least if you have the ideal location for doing so.
