Toyota and Nintendo Team Up for "Elderly-Friendly" Car
The older people get, the harder it is to drive -- reflexes slow, eyesight goes, and one's level of awareness drops as the years pass. These unfortunate realities of aging can make driving a potentially lethal proposition for those getting on in years (not to mention the drivers around them).
Governments, however, are not about to start confiscating drivers licenses when people are old enough to collect social security, so the challenge becomes how to minimize the danger involved with putting those in their golden years on the road.
Toyota is teaming up with Professor Ryuta Kawashima, who worked for Nintendo to develop the DS hit 'Brain Training,' which uses simple and fun puzzles to sharpen the mind and tell you how old your brain is. Toyota and Dr. Kawashima are working on a system that will monitor the moves of aging drivers and help them avoid dangerous behaviors. The ideas currently on the drawing board are an automatic braking system that can curb unnecessary accelerating, a navigation system (duh) and climate controls that will help keep the driver alert and comfortable.
"Ultimately, we hope to develop cars that stimulate brain activity so that driving itself becomes a form of brain training," Dr. Kawashima says. Toyota and the professor hope to have a basic form of the system ready for deployment within five years. Toyota's system isn't the only game in town, though, that is looking to save some lives by keeping drivers alert, Nissan has been working on its Intelligent Transportation System for some time now.
Nintendo has cornered the market on electronics marketed to the elderly at this point. 'Brain Training' and the 'Brain Age' series on the handheld DS and 'Wii Sports' and 'Wii Fitness' have also proven to be huge hits with older consumers looking to dull the effects of aging.
From Daily Mail
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
Bob Burnett @ Dec 24th 2007 2:18PM
My answer to this ad is plain and simple, I'm an American, and I buy only American cars, and I feel safe in all the American cars that I've bought in the pass, and I feel safe in the Buick Lucerne and the Chevorlet Van that I have now. Thank you very much.
Bob Burnett
Byron Spain @ Dec 24th 2007 2:19PM
As I age, my cars have larger and larger engines since I can afford more power and fuel. Screw those who think old means feeble or stupid. I'll blow you off the road in my Ferrari.
Dorothy Smith @ Dec 24th 2007 2:26PM
That sounds great but I probably won't benefit from it as I am now 75. I would like to know if the price is going to be prohibitive to those with only Social Security to live on. Even with a savings the money slips away too easily. Everything goes up in price but our checks don't go up accordinly. They raise our monthly amount then raise the Medicare and Part D deductions. I am still getting, for 2008, $1 less than I was getting in 2006, plus everything else has gone up. The cost of living goes way beyond what we get. No wonder so many of us put off doctors appointments, we do have to pay some of it. We do without a lot of things but we struggle on. I am thankful for what I get. And yes, I did save while I was working but taking care of my mother for 18 years didn't leave me much to save.
Judy @ Dec 24th 2007 2:40PM
So, I need a computer to adjust the temperature so make me comfortable??? I passed that phase a long time ago. I was 7 the last time my mother got a chill & I had to put MY sweater on. Guess the next "improvement" would be for them to decide when that car should drive me to the nursing home!?!?!?
christie @ Dec 24th 2007 2:45PM
The last thing the biggest hazards(elderly) on the road need are more breaks.lol, they go slow enough. Lets make soylent green instead. Elderly take up enough of our resources and time. When I am elderly hopefully I will drop off and save my part of earth for someone who can use it better than me instead of contributing to the overpopulation. Oh, I am the one who wont move out of your way just because your old at the grocery store. BEING OLD DOESN'T ENTITLE ANYONE TO ANYTHING!
sk @ Dec 24th 2007 2:45PM
I'd feel better if someone would design something for the teenage drivers.
jim g @ Dec 24th 2007 2:53PM
Amen to "helping" the teenagers drive safer.
They're the ones that pose the real danger in my state; not the older folks.
Raise the age to 18 for a license while you're at it.
lita @ Dec 24th 2007 3:15PM
On 12/24/07 2:45 PM christie yaks on and on with hateful dialogue about the elderly.
She thinks the elderly should be done away with and that when she gets older, she hopes she will drop off the earth and "save my part of earth for someone who can use it better than me instead of contributing to the overpopulation."
Well, don't stick around on our account; the world would be better off without vermin such as her.
rick @ Dec 24th 2007 3:17PM
The next Bill Gates is the guy that builds everything with only on off and volume. I am sick of gadgets with tiny buttons and symbols. too many features turn me off.
MerryMary @ Dec 24th 2007 3:23PM
Christie, that is HARSH!!
I suppose you will be different when you are on the Earth for 80 years. EIGHTY. Long time. Oh, and if you are not getting out of someone's way......you are just...rude. Age is but a number. (Mine is 54)
BOBCAT42320 @ Dec 24th 2007 3:31PM
Christie! eat chit and die You're over populating the world.
David @ Dec 24th 2007 3:32PM
ANYONE THAT HITS THE AGE OF 60 SHOULD HAVE TO RETAKE THE WRITTEN AND DRIVING EXAM. tHIS INCLUDES ME WHEN I TURN THAT AGE.
B. L. Bassler @ Dec 24th 2007 3:34PM
I find nothing wrong with a "Senior Car". Not everyone can run right out and buy one, though! I personally have a Toyota which, is 10 years old. I keep it in good running order, thanks to a good mechanic. One of the things I think Seniors should remember is; stick to size car you are comfortable driving and, if you are not comfortable driving, TURN IN YOUR LICENSE.
ps: I AM KISSING 74.
clartex @ Dec 24th 2007 3:45PM
I am 72 years old and quiet active and agile. I realize that my reflexes are slowing down and also my mental responses; all apart of the aging process. I have always bought a white car because it stands out on the highway; not like so many other colors that tend to blend into the highway. I think this is a very good idea and I am surprised that one of our US motor companies did not come up with it. For me, it is important to keep busy and stay active; therefore, I still work several days a week in an office which makes me feel as if I am still part of the ongoing world and have something to contribute. I am NOT taking a job away from a younger person and it sure "ain't" for the wages I get as that is only $6.00 an hour before TAXES. We can all contribute even the folks in nursing homes as they are providing many, many jobs for younger folks. I personally feel there is far more danger from youthful drivers and alcoholics than from we old folks.
web @ Dec 24th 2007 3:50PM
Teenagers need a car with a cellphone jammer, a smoke detector that alerts parents when they dont have both hands on the wheel, speed, and smpke weed. This needs to also contact the parent if they try to disengage any of these systems. Also, there shold be a computer download to any parent about the speed and location of the car at any time, as teenagers are the most wreckless drivers out there. Alcohol sensors on the steering wheel to, to call the parent if the driver has been drinking.
Patty Mulchi @ Dec 24th 2007 3:51PM
Please stop blaming older drivers for problems on the road. Look at any statistics for accidents and you will find the younger drivers are responsible for the majority. If auto makers would have less gadgets for everyone to fool around with, it would be a better approach. Instead all they want is to make more money from the selling the gadgets.
Tom @ Dec 24th 2007 3:54PM
I am 66 and no doubt as good if not better at driving than anyone thirty years my junior. I am somewhat of a slowpoke unless somebody provokes me to road-rage!!
DelawareDon @ Dec 24th 2007 3:54PM
Christie....Why not end it all now? I know plenty of loving, caring sensitive people who would be glad to inherit and occupy your space. I would love to be around to watch you when you become "elderly."
WANNARUNIT @ Dec 24th 2007 4:05PM
OF ALL THE DRIVERS THAT ARE DANGEROUS ITS THE TEXT MESSENGING INMATURE THE WORLD OWES ME A LIVING INCONSIDERATE ROAD RAGE DRIVERS.
betty @ Dec 24th 2007 4:24PM
I don't think I'd like this car. Braking system my ass... they are putting govonors on the vehicles so older people can't go the speed limit.. HOW dangerous is that at times???!!!
I can recall a few times before in traffic where some idiot kid driver comes up barrowling down at a high rate of speed, looking everywhere but where they are going..Yacking on their damn cell phones..and IF I hadn't been able to "punch it".. I'd have been creamed but good. AND I quarantee you... I do sue those who damage me or my car in this way...like a bad little dog who done bit down and won't let go.