GPUs & Game Tech Enhance Auto Buying Experience
March 2014 – At the Nvidia GPU Tech Conference they were showing the advancements made in the automotive showroom thanks to low cost GPU technology. Most auto manufacturers have moved to on-line or in showroom configurator tools. These programs allow the buyer to see the vehicle of their choice, with only the options they choose, before the cars is assembled and they have to order it.
The keys to this GPU heavy technology are the ease of development by sharing the workflow and interactive control methods that are used in casual tablet / browser games and all the objects are known, so they an all be pre-rendered in advance like is done with most gaming software. The main development tool being used is the gaming flow from Unity, and most of the auto manufacturers are still on Unity 3. The update to core system from Unity 3 to Unity 4 have not been as relevant as most of the improvements were for more realistic and lower power special effects and higher frame rates, neither of which are need for the on-line car showrooms.
Tels Motors Configurator Software
The auto buying experience that is on-line is a main driver of the virtual showroom segment. The computing power available with the GPU and simple to learn gaming interface allows these showrooms to be the leading edge of the “business use” of gaming. Not only do the on-line showrooms give the customer a chance to play “what if” with the vehicles, but it give the manufacturer a huge amount of business intelligence on the process. Using the game technology they can use artificial intelligence to track and recommend “upsell options”, see what combinations the customers request most, what combinations they never or rarely address. They can also address and follow up with return visitors who do not place an order o help them decide after reviewing their selections.
The next generation showroom displays will be moving from pixel rendreding to real time ray tracing which will allow the showrooms to once again borrow from gaming technology, and give a simulation of the actual on road experience in multiple lighting conditions, as in the driving games.
