The design and research team at Ford is working towards incorporating brain scans and eye-tracking research techniques into the interiors of the carmaker's next-generation models. This will help the research team infer the reaction of the sample audience to a particular design proposal.
The eye tracking feature will follow the part of a person's eye movements over time. This data will help the team figure out the parts of design that are noticed first. Eye tracking can also be used to record the duration for which people focus on certain areas of the car. This draws the designers’ attention to the most and least appreciated areas.
The second feature — brain scanning — will be used to establish the impact of the interiors on the audience’s brain — indicated by parts of the brain lighting up while looking at an interior design.
Moray Callum, Ford’s Vice President of Design said that Ford’s future approach to interior design would be based on three fundamental principles: “Clarity of intent, innovation and connection”
The approach had been first used in the interior of the Ford GT supercar. “All the switchgear had to be accessible by a driver both, fully belted in and sitting on a seat that is fixed in a position," Callum said. Another source said, “We live in our interiors and they are becoming much more important. We need to look at improved materials, fit and finish, and really concentrate on the details.”
Ford personnel haven't revealed the cars that would employ this technology, but the next-generation Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo family models are currently under development.