Selected guests to try out Nissan's self-driving slippers in March

Here's why Nissan's self-driving slippers are making headlines:

A new car.

Well, not exactly.


Then?

The Japanese motor company has introduced self-driving slippers.

Self what?

Slippers. Nissan has kitted out a traditional Japanese guesthouse with self-driving slippers that automatically return to a designated spot after use.

Explain please.

Guests arriving at the guesthouse in Hakone, southwest of Tokyo, are greeted with a pair of slippers to wear. Once removed, these slippers can 'park' themselves back at the entrance at the push of a button.

How?

Each slipper is equipped with two tiny wheels, a motor and sensors, allowing them to drive autonomously across the wooden floor of the guesthouse. Using sensors they can locate and park themselves in designated space.

Can it be any more fascinating!

Other self-driving items that are included in the guesthouse include floor cushions and traditional low tables. Part of a marketing campaign to raise awareness of automated driving technologies, the stunt applies Nissan's autonomous parking technology to everyday objects.

Talk about being automatic!

The self-driving technology functions in a similar way to Nissan's battery-powered electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf — which won Best of Innovation at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

Go Nissan!

They have also developed technology that allows vehicles to read the brain activity of drivers and initiate movement in response. The company also plan to market a car that can drive itself on city streets by 2020.

When can we order the slippers?

Nissan will invite selected guests to experience the technology, when the guesthouse opens in March 2018.

Packing bags, booking tickets.