Nissan showcases smart watch concept targeted at Nismo race car drivers

Smart watches are the latest fad, and the latest entrant to join this bandwagon is not exactly a consumer technology player.

After Samsung and Qualcomm, carmaker Nissan has unveiled a new smart watch concept ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show. The watch is not targeted at mainstream consumers, and boasts of advanced biometric sensors. Dubbed as the Nismo Watch, it would be the first smart watch to connect driver and car, as per the Japanese car maker's claims. Pricing or availability information is not available at this point in time.

The smart watch is essentially meant for drivers of Nissan Nismo (racing) cars and will offer them real-time biometric data. According to Nissan, the Nismo Watch will allow motorsports drivers to monitor the efficiency of their vehicle with average speed and fuel consumption readings, access vehicle telematics and performance data while on track, capture biometric data via a heart rate monitor, connect to the car using a smartphone app via Bluetooth Low Energy, and receive tailored car messages from Nissan.

The futuristic-looking Nismo Watch will also track and rate the user's social performance across Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram via Nissan's proprietary Social Speed software.

Gareth Dunsmore, Marketing Communications General Manager, Nissan in Europe, commented, "Wearable technology is fast becoming the next big thing and we want to take advantage of this innovative technology to make our Nismo Brand more accessible. On track, Nissan uses the latest biometric training technologies to improve the performance of our Nissan Nismo Athletes and it is this technology we want to bring to our fans to enhance their driving experience and Nismo ownership."

The Nismo Watch will be available in three colours, black, white and the flagship black and red. The watch's futuristic and ergonomic design was inspired by the Nismo ring. The watch can be controlled by two buttons and is secured onto the driver's wrist via a snap-fit mechanism. The Nismo Watch will use a lithium battery and will be charged by micro-USB, with a battery life of over seven days under normal usage conditions, as per Nissan.