Nissan iPhone case, heal thyself

Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that this isn’t a new car but please bear with us for a few minutes because it’s a nifty bit of kit that you can impress your friends with next time conversation dries up down the pub.

You don’t need us to tell you that Nissan make cars as well but this time they’ve announced a brand new accessory for the iPhone4 and iPhone4s – a self-healing case called the Scratch Shield. Made from ABS plastic, this little innovation incorporates the latest in vehicle paint technology to keep your iPhone scratch free and looking new for longer.

It’s been designed using some of the manufacturing techniques Nissan already use on the Murano, 370Z and X-Trail but this is the first time it’s been used on something other than a car. As well as being made of tough plastic that protects your phone from damage the case also has a gel-like finish so it’s easier to hold and more scratch-resistant than normal paint. The really clever bit is the outer coating of the case which is made from polyrotaxane – any chemists in the house may be able to explain this – which has a unique chemical structure that allows it to react to any fine scratches and revert back to its original shape to fill in the gap and “heal” the damage in as little as an hour.

Nissan have been testing a BETA version of the case with selected customers but they’ve already said that if demand is strong enough they’ll look to put it on general sale later this year.

If anyone was wondering how Japanese manufacturers manage to maintain their position at the top then wonder no longer. It’s practical, desirable and demonstrates real diversity and market awareness – and it’s bloody clever too.





By David Young

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