Unity Technologies and NXP collaborate to develop human-machine interface for high-fidelity immersive gaming in cars

Las Vegas, NV, USA – January 8, 2020 – Unity  Technologies, creator of the world’s most widely used real-time 3D development platform  , today announced that it is collaborating with NXP Semiconductors NV (Nasdaq: NXPI), the world’s largest supplier of automotive semiconductors , to deliver an HMI toolchain running on the popular i.MX 8QuadMax applications processor. The toolchain enables OEMs to leverage the leading real-time 3D rendering technology available today to create modern driving experiences in mass-produced vehicles. The collaboration creates opportunities for a broad range of Unity-licensed 2D/3D content, especially Unity-licensed 3D games, to run in today’s mass-produced vehicles, regardless of trim level or price. The two companies will demonstrate the HMI toolchain at the NXP booth #18 in the Central Plaza at the 2020 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week.

“No matter what new car they get, no matter the price, consumers expect to be connected to all of their devices. However, for price-sensitive consumers, this is not the case unless they are willing to invest in a higher-end or luxury vehicle,” said Tim McDonough, General Manager of Industrial at Unity Technologies. “Through the collaboration between Unity and NXP, immersive HMI systems can be more affordably integrated into vehicles of all price levels, giving consumers the opportunity to experience a high-fidelity immersive interface that allows them to play games, connect their smartphones, and interact with their vehicle just as they would in a $100,000 vehicle.”

Unity's real-time 3D platform adapts to future needs, allowing OEMs to reduce conflicts and risks in iterative design development, while providing UI/UX designers, artists, developers, and engineers with first-class experience and a unified HMI tool chain (covering the full product cycle of design, prototyping, development, and mass product deployment), thereby improving efficiency and speed. In addition, Unity provides customizable content through the Asset Store created by millions of developers.

“NXP’s i.MX 8 QuadMax applications processors enable new personalized, interactive control centers for the future of immersive infotainment experiences,” said Ron Martino, vice president and general manager of i.MX applications processors at NXP Semiconductors. “With expanded digital instrumentation, our innovative infotainment and in-vehicle automotive solutions seamlessly adapt to driver preferences, while advanced HMI support enables voice commands, gestures, augmented reality and advanced personalization – all with driver safety in mind.”

The HMI toolchain uses Unity's Universal Render Pipeline (URP). This is a pre-built, scriptable rendering pipeline that optimizes real-time performance, allowing for high-quality graphics that can be scaled to mobile platforms. Users can achieve fast rendering and high performance at high quality without the use of compute shader technology.

In addition to its work with NXP, Unity is working with eight of the world’s top 10 automotive OEMs to help improve the way they design, build, service and sell cars. The company continues to invest in its automotive and manufacturing divisions by importing experts from companies such as BMW, Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen Group.