Prakshal Jain Transforms Luxury Car Retail with AR/VR Innovation

The journey of Prakshal Jain, an immigrant entrepreneur, has taken him from a small town in India to the forefront of luxury car retail innovation. As the founder of Chimera, Jain has harnessed the power of spatial computing and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a human-centered AR/VR design configurator that is reshaping how consumers engage with luxury automobiles.

Jain was born in Satna, India, to a middle-class family that envisioned a future in medicine for him. However, his fascination with technology emerged early when a remote-controlled car gifted by his uncle sparked a passion for understanding how things work. “That moment sparked a lifelong curiosity about computers and machines,” Jain recalled. By sixth grade, he was repairing pens for his classmates, and by ninth grade, he had gained recognition in the NSF Cyber Olympiad, achieving an international rank of seven.

Recognizing his potential, Jain’s parents encouraged him to pursue engineering by enrolling him in a boarding school to prepare for India’s prestigious IIT-JEE exam. During his studies, he set his sights on the United States, particularly Silicon Valley, the heart of technological innovation. After successfully preparing for the SAT, he moved to the U.S. for his undergraduate studies.

While adjusting to life in a new country, Jain developed “Zeal,” a machine learning platform designed to connect entrepreneurs based on skills and personality traits. The platform gained traction on his campus and earned him the Blackstone LaunchPad Startup Bootcamp Award. This recognition led to a position at Meta, one of the world’s leading technology companies, during a challenging period marked by significant layoffs.

Jain shared his initial fears, stating, “I was terrified—not just of losing my job, but of losing my visa and everything I’d worked so hard to build.” His determination to prove his value helped him secure a spot on Meta’s AR/VR design team, where he focused on becoming a spatial computing expert. His work culminated in a live demonstration by Mark Zuckerberg at Meta Connect 2024, a moment that validated his efforts.

Despite his success, Jain felt a pull towards his passion for automobiles. After viewing the movie about Ferrari, he envisioned an opportunity to blend his technological expertise with his interest in cars. This led him to develop an AR/VR experience featuring AI-powered product configurators. A pivotal moment occurred during a visit to a Porsche dealership, where he witnessed a customer struggling to visualize their vehicle while juggling color swatches. Jain realized his prototype could address this need effectively. “The configurator doesn’t do it justice,” the client remarked, prompting Jain to enhance his prototype into a fully functional 3D configurator.

With enthusiasm from various dealerships, Jain established Chimera, which has since garnered attention across the luxury car retail sector. Sales teams and dealership owners are eager to integrate his innovative solution into their operations. Jain describes this as a full-circle moment, stating, “This journey, from childhood curiosity to industry innovation, continually reminds me that meaningful creations stem from genuine human connections and shared passions.”

Today, Jain’s story serves as a reminder that the path to innovation often begins with early interests and curiosities. From dismantling toys as a child to leading advancements in AR/VR technology in the luxury car market, his experience illustrates how passion and perseverance can forge significant advancements in any industry. As he continues to develop groundbreaking experiences, Jain remains motivated by the potential of technology to enhance people’s lives and transform their experiences with luxury vehicles.