FORD MINDFULNESS CAR CONCEPT HELPS DRIVERS STEER CLEAR OF EVERYDAY STRESS

“Mindfulness helps people to be more focused, calmer and achieve greater clarity – and when you’re behind the wheel, this can help make you a better driver,” said mindfulness teacher and author Mark Coleman, who created the meditation guides for the concept car. “You become more aware and responsive, while greatly reducing the likelihood of being distracted. More drivers being more mindful can make journeys safer and more enjoyable for everyone on the road.”

THE MINDFULNESS CONCEPT CAR

Many drivers may already incorporate mindfulness techniques in their daily driving without even realising it. This may include taking a moment to breathe calmly in a stressful situation or simply pulling over to the side of the road to take in a stunning view. The Mindfulness Concept Car – based on a Kuga SUV – complements such activities with a range of specially tailored features that enable users to:

ENTER A HYGIENIC AND HARMONIOUS SPACE:

• Unlock Purge activated by the keyfob or an app provides a burst of clean and fresh cabin air via the climate control, before the driver gets into the vehicle
• Premium filter helps remove almost all dust, odours, smog, allergens and bacteria-sized particles
• UV-C light diodes stop the reproduction of viruses and germs on smartphones, screens and surfaces, for a more hygienic cabin environment

SET THE MOOD AND GET GROUNDED

• Ambient lighting combines with climate control temperature to provide specific moods in the cabin, such as a bright morning feeling, a calming blue sky, and a starlit night
• Driver seat with four actuators can stimulate and provide feedback on breathing and heartrate, with this information shown on the in-car screen
• Wearables monitor the driver’s heartrate and other physiological measures, and can synchronise the heartbeat with the seat actuators and ambient light
• Special interior trim using sustainable materials, natural colours and mindful design cues

ENJOY SERENE AND IMMERSIVE SOUNDS

• B&O Beosonic^TM equaliser enables sound spaces to be selected based on mood, including “Bright”, “Energetic”, “Relaxed” and “Warm”
• B&O headrest speakers deliver sound close to the ears of the driver and passenger, and combine with headliner speakers to offer an immersive listening experience
• Tailored playlists based on situations and locations, such as seaside sounds for driving at the coast or calming music when in a traffic jam

STAY CALM AND REFRESHED

• Adaptive Climate Control provides calming cool air, simulates and stimulates deep breathing after driver assist tech has helped drivers avoid an incident, such as with emergency braking
• Powernap function for breaks during long drives, with a lay-flat seat, neck support and auditory beats that help drivers nod off and wake up refreshed afterwards
• Specific guides for yoga with light physical exercise and short meditation sessions, when parked or stopped. Gamification elements direct the driver’s focus to the traffic.

“These driver assistance systems for the mind, body and soul turn driving time into ‘me-time’,” said our technical expert Carsten Starke. “The principles learned and practiced in this unique car can be applied to other aspects of life, to enhance not just daily drives, but every single experience.”

We believe that taking a mindful approach to in-vehicle technology could help inform the design of future electrified and autonomous vehicles, enabling occupants to spend travel and charging time in a much more useful and relaxing way.

We already extends the benefits of mindfulness to our employees through the Ford Mindfulness Club by offering mindfulness training as well as regular meditation sessions to employees worldwide. Our “Share The Road” campaign is designed to foster greater understanding between road users to help make the streets safer for everyone.

“A car by itself is not mindful. But how a car is used and the behaviours that it supports, can be. Ford’s goal with this concept is to create experiences that encourage greater awareness. With unique features and embedded technologies, Ford is providing drivers and passengers with new ways to be mindful while in a Ford vehicle, anywhere along the road of life,” said senior adviser Mark Higbie, who helped introduce mindfulness to our workplace.

The Mindfulness Concept Car is now on display at IAA Mobility in Munich, Germany, that runs from Sept 6-12, 2021