Nissan Motor Co has developed slippers that ‘park’ themselves.
Autoblog reports that Nissan has created motorised slippers that drive themselves into place at the entrance of a Japanese inn.
Each slipper has two tiny wheels, a motor and sensors that drive the indoor shoes across the Hakone Ryokan’s wooden lobby floor. The slippers use Nissan’s ProPilot Park technology that features in its all-battery electric Leaf vehicle. High-tech sensors and cameras allow the car to self park.
Guests who visit the resort town of Hakone, which is famous for its spectacular views of Mount Fuji, will be able to experience the technology in March.
“The self-parking slippers are meant to raise awareness of automated driving technologies, and their potential, non-driving applications,” Nissan spokesman Nick Maxfield said.
Floor cushions and traditional Japanese low tables are also fitted with this technology to move into place for the guests’ comfort.
Nissan hopes to develop a fully self driving car for the streets by 2020.
The Japanese car company is also offering a free night at Ryokan for two. In order to enter the competition, contestants must post on Twitter using the hashtags #PPPRyokan and #wanttostay between 25 January and 10 February.
