INNOVATION springs from many places, according to the designers of the Nissan Actic concept vehicle, which makes its world debut at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, including items as simple as the small, handheld technology devices ranging from key fobs and PDAs to MP3 players and GPS systems.

The Nissan Actic is a 'content rich' design exercise created by Nissan Design America Inc (NDA) in La Jolla, California. The sleek, silver, bullet-shaped Actic, with its flowing body and matching trailer, makes a visionary statement about how vehicle owners will approach technology in the future. In place of traditional content-heavy vehicle control systems that become outdated immediately, Actic's handheld 'key fob'-based information Technology (IT) system allows the user to 'grow' the interface with infinite flexibility and updateability.

"Actic's core idea was inspired and influenced by the pace and content of modern life - and a generation of people who find time to pursue multiple passions with zeal, commitment and style," said Tom Semple, president NDA. "It's designed to reflect the interests and aspirations of its users, adapting to their personalities rather than imposing the vehicles on them."

Actic provides nearly unlimited opportunities for its users to explore and challenge the relationship between exterior and interior environments and to introduce elements of personalisation by projecting video displays on a series of six roof-mounted flat LCD screens. Other Actic innovations include dual sliding doors, a 'cross trainer'-style wheel and tyre design with tread-wrapped, 20-inch aluminium-alloy wheels, and a versatile, matching trailer with inflatable walls that converts to a comfortable sleeping surface for three.