Challenge
The Acura division of the American Honda Motor Company, as part of their continuing strategy to establish themselves as an innovative, technology-focused luxury brand, commissioned George P. Johnson to create a brand new exhibit for the 2007 auto show season that by its very nature says “innovation.” Central to the new exhibits would be a series of interactive installations, highlighted by the Interactive Oracles.

The intended consumer take away was for the user to see Acura as an innovator that is always looking to the future and integrating the latest cutting edge, customer-relevant technologies into their vehicles. The communication challenge the team faced was how to create an installation that is user-friendly and effectively communicates customer relevant stories that show how an Acura improves the users’ life.

While developing the Interactive Oracle concept, the team set out to achieve 3 specific goals. The first was to create a circular display system that could be approached from any angle and be used by multiple people at once. Second, the Oracles would also have to integrate a sensor system that would allow for people to use both of their hands at the same time. Further, the team would need to allow the display system to be completely self-contained so that is could easily be moved from one location to another. To accomplish these goals, George P. Johnson enlisted the services of MOTO Development Group to help create the multi-user, multi-touch sensor system and integrate the projector, touch surface and optics. Mindflood was brought in to help create the interactive content and integrate it into a Flash user interface.

Solution
Each of the three Oracles consists of a tabletop based projection with a high lumen projector mounted underneath and a multi-user, multi-touch sensor system above. The Flash user interface allows for each Oracle to be approached from any angle as the tabletop is divided into four areas of message delivery. The content then automatically orients itself to the quadrant closest to the user. The entire Oracle surface is seamlessly connected so that each user’s interaction causes it to react in a unique way. Multiple users can select individual particles as they float by and then activate them with their hands.

As Mindflood carefully refined the informative content, the overarching vision was for the Oracles to respond and behave like a pool of energy, containing orbs or thought particles that float within the energy field. Users can touch a thought particle on the screen, open it, experience it, release it and then open another. The nine technology stories are organized into three content categories and are represented by spheres. Each story has its own unique personality and communicates how Acura technology either “Connects You,” “Protects You” or “Empowers You.” The stories highlight how Acura technology integrates in and benefits the driver's life.

Result
The Acura Interactive Oracles made their successful debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and left attendees who interacted with them thinking, “I have never seen anything quite like that before.” The oracles combined a first of its kind multi-user environment along with strong visuals and motion graphics. This integrated interactive presentation engages users to tell compelling stories about how Acura technologies help make driving a more enjoyable experience. Attendees who experienced the Interactive Oracles felt like they were using a future technology, yet discovered that Acura delivers advanced, life-enhancing technologies today that allow their drivers to “Live Life in Advance.”