It's the most famous road trip mantra: "Are we there yet?" But could it become a trope of the past?
The Audi-backed startup Holoride (stylized as holoride) combines real-time vehicle information with a VR headset to create an immersive entertainment experience.
Get the details on what hardware you'll need, what games you can play, and which vehicles will first feature Holoride.
What Is Holoride?
Holoride is virtual reality (VR) married to the movements of a vehicle, what Holoride calls "elastic entertainment." If you already know how to use the HTC VIVE flow, you're a step ahead of the game. It's currently the only VR set that's Holoride-compatible, and you'll need firmware version 1.84.623.01 or higher.
For games, the immersive pairing of VR with riding around in a car means that the real-time speed of the vehicle impacts how fast or slow things appear to be moving. If you've ever wondered how VR today is better than in the 90s, this new technology ends all debates. According to Holoride's FAQ, "We are turning vehicles into moving theme parks while revolutionizing in-car entertainment for you."
What Games Can You Play With Holoride?
As of December 2022, Cloudbreakers and Planet Ride are the only immersive games offered. There are several edutainment offerings, such as a prehistoric learning adventure with a T-Rex. But if you want to see the complete list of games, you should check out the Holoride library.
Holoride has teamed up with Porsche and the Discovery Channel to create documentaries such as "How the Universe Works." For parents hoping to keep their children occupied in the car while learning more about the world, Holoride seems like the perfect solution.
In addition to games, Holoride can add new meaning to a city tour. At the 2021 Saltzburg Festival, Audi used the technology to allow passengers to take a motion-synchronized tour through the city as it was hundreds of years ago.
When Will Holoride Be Available?
Availability will begin in Germany, then come to the US in early 2023. From there, the rollout will proceed into other parts of Europe and select Asian markets throughout the rest of 2023.
Whenever it becomes available where you live, you may be wondering if anyone has launched their lunch from motion sickness due to Holoride. So far, the reports are encouraging. The synchronization of the vehicle's motion and VR experience have sufficient fidelity to reality to prevent feelings of sickness. Though you won't know until you try it for yourself, it seems to be winning over early reviewers.
Which Vehicles Will Have Holoride?
Audis will be the first Holoride-compatible vehicles: the A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8, e-Tron, e-Tron Sportback, and e-Tron GT will have the Holoride as an option.
To use it, you'll need the "Pioneers' Pack", which includes the following:
- HTC VIVE Flow headset
- 8BitDo Pro 2 Gamepad
- Seat belt safety strap: (to prevent the remote from going flying if the car has to stop suddenly)
- A one-year subscription (about $20/month if paid monthly or $190 annually if paid upfront)
As Holoride has already collaborated with Porsche and Ford, these manufacturers may be next in line to offer this exciting new service, though nothing definitive has yet been released.
Is Holoride a Harbinger of New In-Vehicle Entertainment?
Holoride is an exciting new technology that will first be featured in Audi with availability in 2023, starting in Germany and then spreading across the globe. With a minimal investment in hardware and a subscription, riders can merge the motions of a vehicle with games, edutainment, and documentaries.
Holoride has the potential to transform how we think about transportation, especially as we enter the age of autonomous vehicles. Though no one knows when vehicles will achieve full self-driving capabilities, when they do, people will want immersive in-vehicle entertainment options, along with enhanced remote meeting capabilities. So, whether you're traveling through space or gathered in a boardroom, Holoride is the first step in a bold new direction.