The only Ford research center outside the USA is located not at the headquarters in Cologne, but in Aachen and closely embraced by RWTH Aachen. With more than 250 technicians, engineers and specialists from all development areas, the Aachen location is one of the most important in the entire FORD group.
What is researched in Aachen can easily be found in vehicle development in the group and ultimately in series vehicle construction. In Aachen, for example, they not only played a key role in the development of the new Ecoboost three-cylinder with a displacement of just one liter - they are also responsible for many other research areas.
A good reason to take a closer look at the research center in Aachen.
With passion in development - the EKG driver's seat
Actually, we should all care more about our hearts than everyday life allows us and wouldn't it be practical if we could use the time in the car to consider at least one aspect of our own health? The researchers at Ford in Aachen must have thought so boringly similar, and together with the Rhenish-Westphalian Technical University in Aachen (RWTH) a driver's seat has been developed that records the driver's cardiac currents while driving.
EKG in the car
Without the expense of the actually necessary wiring and sitting in the car fully dressed, every time you drive - be able to measure the heart currents.
One can well imagine the safety gain such a driver's seat could represent for people who suffer from an arrhythmia. Thanks to the constant control of the heartbeat, irregularities would be recognized quickly and could even use the morning drive to work to create an EKG and send it to the doctor.
In the event of an emergency, one would also be able to make an explicit emergency call and thus do a great service to the safety and health of the driver and other road users.
I wasn't in the demonstration seat myself, but my colleague was Jens Stratmann got into the EKG seat trying hard and revealing his heartbeats to us.
At the moment, the 6 metal sensors can still be seen open - for series use, however, it would also be possible to hide these “contacts” under the fabric cover of the seat.
I think:
A great development and a good example of the integration of universities and the development centers of the automobile manufacturers.
Continue reading: Of course there was more to see than “just” the EKG seat. So Robert Basic has the Age suit tried it out and was able to experience what it feels like to have aged 30 years within a few minutes. Why it can make sense when our Cars are particularly chatty with one another I was able to experience that too. And then I got the opportunity to find a great product name - namely while giving me the Ford Traffic Jam Assistant has presented.