Most drivers know that Japanese auto manufacturer Nissan is always on the cutting edge of new technologies. The company always seems to be inventing new gadgets and powertrains for its automobiles, but now it's taken this dedication to innovation a step further. Nissan recently announced plans to sell a self-healing iPhone case later this year. This case uses automotive coating technology to protect and self-heal itself.

Bob Laishley, Overseas Program Director of Business Development for Nissan Europe explains the excitement surrounding this new technology, stating, "We like to think laterally by taking the great innovations we've got from the automotive point of view, and looking at how they could be applied to improve everyday issues. The Scratch Shield iPhone case is a great example of us taking a Nissan automotive technology that has had a huge impact for our customers, and then shifting the boundaries to apply it to another everyday product." He also adds, "We're passionate about innovations that get people excited, and that means not being restricted to one industry or genre."¹

Nissan created this technology with the help of the Advanced Softmaterials Inc. and the University of Tokyo. The case is called the "Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case" and was recently released to select journalists and iPhone users in prototype form for testing purposes. The product should go on sale to the masses in late 2012 and will self-repair scratches and cosmetic flaws that come from dropping, bumping, or otherwise damaging one's phone. The case is made of ABS plastic-a material that is widely used in the auto industry, and it's coated in Scratch Shield paint (made of polyrotaxane).Instead of the traditional glossy finish, it will have a gel-like feel.

Nissan certainly does have a way of getting ahead of the industry in terms of innovation. While the iPhone case is impressive, the new Nissan vehicles might be even more so. Don't believe us? Stop by Charles Barker Nissan and test drive a new Nissan for yourself! Located at 1250 N Miliarty Highway Norfolk, VA 23502, we're easy to find.

Source: ¹http://www.dailytech.com/Nissan+Creates+SelfHealing+iPhone+Case+with+Automotive+Coating/article23792.htm