Ingenious Mercedes-Benz CLA Doubles as Mario Kart Controller
The Verge lobs shells and crosses finish lines in a CLA loaded with an open-source version of everyone’s favorite Nintendo title.
Many of us lucky enough to grow up in the golden age of video games have quite a bit of experience playing a certain one called Mario Kart. The legendary game series has endured the test of time, producing multiple sequels and subsequently, millions of fans. But now that original fans of the game are all grown up, why bother playing it with a regular old controller? Thanks to Daimler Research Group, there’s at least one Mercedes-Benz CLA in the world that doubles as a very life-like controller.
This little bit of magic didn’t take much to create, however. A few tech savvy folks simply adapted a version of the open source SuperTuxKart to work on the CLA’s MBUX infotainment system. The game itself is shown on the vehicle’s display in the center, and the driver controls it with the steering wheel and pedals. More incredibly, the lights, seat belt (tightens when you crash), and air conditioning (blows harder the faster you go) all work in unison as well.The folks at The Verge got to test out this amazing piece of kit recently and came away highly impressed.
“I played it and I loved it,” the lucky reviewer gushed. “What I saw felt so obviously great that I question why it’s not been done before. Maybe I was also reacting to the luxurious feel of the Mercedes-Benz I’d just sat in for the first time. But whatever, I’m now walking around the MWC show floor with a stupid grin on my face.”
An amazing idea, indeed. Sadly, this particular Mercedes-Benz didn’t come stacked with banana peels in the passenger sat. But that’s a pretty easy fix. Especially for Mario Kart fans.
Hero Photo: The Verge
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