Ford believes in answering well to the needs of their customers. In an effort to better take into consideration the needs of different customers, Ford’s design engineers go through simulated scenarios for potential clients. Among those clients taken into account are the elderly and the expectant, pregnant women.

Ford aims to be able to design vehicles with efficient, comfortable and convenient ergonomics. They want to provide their customers with the easiest, most convenient riding experience. According to the press release for Ford, “When a customer gets into a Ford vehicle for the first time, we want them to be able to operate all of the features comfortably, without needing to refer to the owner’s manual. We want to make controls—everything from adjustable pedals to setting clocks—as intuitive and easy to use as possible”.

Among the simulation suits that design engineers wear to better understand specific conditions for certain individuals are the “third age suits” and the “empathy belly”. Design engineers wear the “third age suit” in order to understand how riding in a vehicle is for the elderly. The Ford press release states, “The third-age suit is made of materials that add bulk and restrict movement at key areas of the body (e.g., knees, elbows, back and neck). The suit also uses gloves that reduce the sense of touch and goggles that simulate cataracts. The suit doesn’t necessarily simulate a specific condition, such as arthritis, but it does help simulate real-life customer scenarios, such as where someone can’t comfortably bend his elbow to grasp the door handle or can’t easily look over his shoulder when changing lanes”. This helps Ford make better design decisions for their elderly demographic. In fact, the suit is also being used by Boeing, an aircraft manufacturer that has forged a partnership with Ford. Both Boeing and Ford are finding ways to improve the interiors of both airplanes and automobiles.

Another remarkable suit is called the “empathy belly”. This suit simulates what it is like for a pregnant woman to be riding a car. Ford describes the empathy belly as a “suit [which] includes a strap that engineers put on their chest (simulating shortness of breath) and a water belly/lead weights (which put pressure on the belly and give the wearer the outward appearance of being pregnant). Once on, the engineer starts to feel several pregnancy symptoms and, in a matter of a few minutes, he or she is 33 pounds heavier and nine-months pregnant.” The suit allows the engineers to create vehicle interior designs that make riding in a vehicle more comfortable for an expectant mother.

With the advent of new in- vehicle technology like navigation systems and hands – free technology, Ford is also doing its part in making sure that these technologies are as easy to use as possible. Before an in-line vehicle technology is launched, the team conducts usability testing for the new technology. The tests include “paper and pen” testing, wherein customers are shown screen shots of how the new technology operates and asked for their feedback. They also build prototypes which customers can test out and review for themselves.

Keeping cars as safe and easy to use as possible is something that every car manufacturer should strive to do. Customers can be assured that the people at Ford are doing the best they can to give them just that.

Sources: “Third-Age Suit” Helps Ford to Understand Mature Drivers , Suiting Up to Address Customer Needs