Instead of hiring older designers, Nissan has invented an old-suit, an outfit which simulates the effects of aging. Strap it on and you'll immediately feel stiffer, heavier, less able to balance, and the included goggles will make it harder to see. Why? So young designers can better understand how the rapidly aging population of Japan experience their cars, and thus make them easier to use for a growing segment of the market.
The concept is known as "Universal Design", and has has been used in Japan before, but the Nipponese boffins need to hurry up and make us a self-driving car already. That way, when we use the patented Gadget Lab method to blur our vision and feel stiffer, heavier and less able to balance (beer), we too will have a safe ride home.
Japan ageing suit puts car makers in senior circuit [Reuters]
Photo: Reuters
