Lovers of the classic card game Uno will soon be able to take the game on the road. Just don't deal and drive.
German car manufacturer BMW has inked a deal with toy and game developer Mattel and gaming platform AirConsole that will bring a digital version of the game to its line of high-end automobiles, including the BMW X3, the company said on Thursday.
“We’re super happy about the addition of Uno to some of our new vehicles and think lots of our customers of all ages will be as well,” a BMW spokesperson told Decrypt. “It’s ideal for roundtrip pitstops and family fun while a customer is charging one of our 100% electric or plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle offerings.”
Consumers will get their first look at the Uno Car Party app on August 21 during Gamescom 2024 in Cologne, Germany. According to BMW, after the official reveal, the Uno Party will roll out to the over 500,000 BMW and Mini vehicles on the market.
According to the company, up to four players can play Uno Party using AirConsole. Launched in 2015, Zurich-based N-Dream partnered with BMW in August 2023 to bring its AirConsole entertainment system to its line of high-end luxury cars.
“Whether a family is at rest during a road trip, or a group of friends stop to figure out their next move, stationary drivers can use AirConsole’s unique game controller system to connect any passenger to the game using their personal devices,” BMW said in a statement.
AirConsole users initially need to use their smartphones to play games in their BMW. Future iterations, the company said, will allow for game controllers to be added to the experience.
“Each player can secretly see their own cards on their phone while playing on the infotainment system of the car,” AirConsole CEO Anthony Cliquot explained. “This is an experience that would be impossible to achieve using only touchscreen or Bluetooth controls on the infotainment system.”
But while the AirConsole can keep long road trips interesting, BMW said safety comes first.
“Vehicles must be in park to enable gameplay,” the company said.
According to Airconsole, the Uno Party App uses artificial intelligence in the form of bots in the game.
“Since at least two players are needed to start the game, if a driver is playing alone, they can add up to three bots to join them,” an Airconsole spokesperson told Decrypt. “These bots mimic human behavior by making strategic decisions and reacting to the game environment, ensuring a fun and challenging experience even without a full team of human players.”
BMW has included AI in its vehicles since 2018 and the launch of its iDrive system. In January, at CES 2024, BMW showcased new technical features for its line of cars, including generative AI in its BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, as well as gaming and streaming options.
"UNO is perfect for in-car gaming because it's highly engaging and brings people together,” Head of Business Development for Digital Gaming at Mattel Erika Winterholler said in a statement. “UNO’s social nature turns every journey into a fun experience, and we're so excited to bring this spirit to consumers in an innovative way with our partners at BMW and AirConsole."
Edited by Ryan Ozawa.