OREANDA-NEWS. September 17, 2015. Have you ever wondered why the details of your vehicle are the way they are? From button or text size, to colours and new technology options, Ford’s team of human factors engineers consider 95 to 97 per cent of the population when designing vehicles. 

Ford’s wearable technology suits, particularly the Third Age Suit and Empathy Belly, are used for building awareness when designing vehicles, as well as for larger educational purposes. 

Ford of Canada recently had the chance to talk with nursing students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic , and show them first-hand the difficulties that seniors face while behind the wheel. Michael Wyant, dealer principal, Jubilee Ford, discussed Ford’s usability testing and ergonomics with students and seniors in the audience, before suiting them up for an experiential demonstration of the Third Age Suit with a Ford Escape. 

Rick, an elderly driver from the Luther Heights seniors’ complex, was there to offer personal insight on the challenges he faces while driving, and how certain features help make his experience more comfortable. He relayed to how it can be harder for him to turn his neck to check his blind spots or when backing out of a parking spot, so technologies like the blind spot awareness system, rear view cameras and collision warning give him appreciated additional support when driving.