DESIGNING CARS FOR THE ELDERLY

Just how do car designers go about creating a car that can appeal to all age groups especially the elderly. One solution, pioneered by Ford, is the Ageing Suit. Worn by a younger designer as he or she is working in the studio, this simulates the restricted mobility and vision experienced by many older people.

The all-in-one outfit incorporates padding and elasticated binding to restrict and stiffen body movement in key areas, such as the wrists, knees, elbows, torso and neck. In addition, the wearer has customised gloves to constrict the fingers and goggles that simulate deteriorating eyesight.

Mike Bradley, the ergonomics specialist in Ford's design centre in Dunton, explains. “When you're young and fit enough to leap out of a car without effort, it's hard to appreciate why an older person may need to lever themselves out of the driver's seat - by pushing on the seat back and the door frame, for example. But try leaping out while you're wearing the Ageing Suit, and you really do understand the problem.”

Wearing the suit and gloves, you find that putting on a seatbelt and changing gear becomes unexpectedly tricky too. Manoeuvres such as reversing the car become much more difficult with head movement restricted by the suit's head-brace and the field of vision impaired by the goggles. In addition, the gloves serve to highlight which types of control are easiest to operate when fingers are less nimble and have less tactile feedback.

Anticipating the needs and capabilities of a wide range of people was particularly important to Ford especially when designing modern vehicles like the Fiesta, Focus and Kuga, which compete in the largest segments of the car market in Europe and attract customers of all ages. Understanding the restricted mobility caused by ag...