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For decades, Carrera has been synonymous with racetracks that bring speed and technology into the living room. At the trade fair, an approach was presented that takes this familiar principle a step further. Instead of viewing the vehicle from above as usual, the perspective shifts directly into the car for the first time. This is made possible by a special camera vehicle that simulates the driver's position and allows the racing action to be experienced from the cockpit.
The idea behind it is as simple as it is effective. Hardly anyone has the opportunity to sit in a racing car on a legendary track like the Nürburgring. With the new technology, this feeling is translated into the scale of the racetrack. The player no longer sees the car on the track, but appears to be sitting behind the windscreen themselves and experiences every bend from a first-person perspective.
At the heart of the system is a specially equipped car. A camera is mounted in the front, capturing the image from the driver's perspective. A radio processor is integrated in the rear, which transmits the image data wirelessly. Transmission takes place in the 5.8 gigahertz range, which ensures a stable and smooth image connection. The signal is received by glasses that the player holds in front of their eyes. When you put on the glasses, you immediately feel as if you are sitting in the vehicle yourself. You can see the track, tunnels, curves and even parts of the windscreen. The image is transmitted in real time, so every movement of the car is immediately visible. The combination of hand controller and glasses combines classic control with an immersive display that was previously known mainly from model aircraft or professional simulators.
This solution noticeably changes the character of the racetrack. Driving becomes less of an abstract game and more of an experience. Speed feels more intense, curves feel tighter, and small driving errors are immediately noticeable. Especially in tunnels or during quick changes of direction, the effect is reminiscent of a roller coaster ride. This change also has an impact on attention. Driving from the cockpit perspective requires greater concentration. The speed feels higher and control more demanding. This means that the system appeals not only to children, but also to teenagers and adults who are looking for a new kind of racetrack experience.
Despite the new perspective, the controls remain deliberately classic. The familiar hand controller is still used to steer. Pressing the controller accelerates the vehicle, releasing it slows it down. This familiarity is an important aspect because it lowers the barrier to entry. New technology is not introduced as a complicated additional layer, but complements the existing game principle.
It is precisely this combination of the familiar and the new that makes it so appealing. The racetrack remains a racetrack, but is enhanced by an additional level of perception. Players can decide at any time whether they want to drive classically from above or put on the glasses and put themselves in the car.
The cockpit camera is part of a development that can also be observed in other areas of gaming. Games are becoming increasingly immersive, perspectives more personal, experiences more intense. Instead of just watching, the user should be part of the action. In the case of the racetrack, this means no longer just being an observer of the vehicle, but becoming the driver yourself.
This approach takes familiar elements from the digital world and transfers them to a physical gaming system. The track is still on the table, the car drives real curves, but the perception is enhanced by technology. It is precisely at this interface that a new gaming experience emerges. The key features of the system are:
In practical use, it quickly becomes clear why the comparison with a real race track is obvious. Curves, tunnels and sections of the track appear much more dynamic from the cockpit view. Even familiar parts of the track appear new because they are no longer seen from a bird's eye view. Driving takes on a more emotional character that goes beyond simply collecting points or winning.
At the same time, the system remains playful. It does not require any complicated setup or lengthy explanations. Just sit down, pick up the controller and drive off. This simplicity is crucial in ensuring that the technology is not perceived as a gimmick, but as an integral part of the game. Carrera thus adds a dimension to the classic racetrack concept that has been missing until now. The combination of a real track, a physical vehicle and a subjective perspective creates an experience that clearly sets it apart from conventional racetracks. Instead of just watching a car drive, driving itself becomes the central moment of the game.
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