STOCKHOLM, Nov 14 — The Swedish carmaker has become the first to officially embrace Google's project Cardboard do-it-yourself virtual reality headset and will be using the technology and a specially designed smartphone app to offer visitors to the LA Auto Show what it is calling a revolutionary way to experience its latest models before they launch.

Google Cardboard turns virtually any smartphone into a virtual reality headset and when the Volvo Reality app goes live on the Google Play Store on November 18, Android-phone-owning Volvo fans will be able to download it to their handset, slide the phone into the headset and get a sense of what it will be like to sit behind the wheel of the XC90 — Volvo's new flagship SUV.

“Using Google Cardboard exemplifies the marriage of innovation and design engineering. With nothing more than a smartphone, cardboard, two lenses and a magnet, customers can experience a test drive that puts them in the driver's seat of the XC90,” said Bodil Eriksson, EVP, Product, Brand, Marketing & Communications, Volvo Cars North America. “With Google Cardboard we can deliver an experience that is so much richer than simple videos or pictures. We can now transport people into a 360-degree world where they can explore and experience the next-generation luxury SUV, months before it's in dealerships.”

Volvo is working on an iOS version of the app and plans to offer a trilogy of test drives each created around a different theme, the first of which will be “Friday getaway.”

Aware that not everyone will be able to build their own headset in time, Volvo has ensured that the app can still be enjoyed without Google Cardboard, but will be providing headsets on its stand at the LA Auto Show from November 18.

“With Cardboard, we want to inspire and encourage the creation of immersive digital experiences,” said Andrew Nartker, Product Manager for Google Cardboard. “We're excited to see Volvo build and share their own unique experience at the LA Auto Show using Cardboard.” — AFP-Relaxnews