Ford Motor Company is always researching ways in which to better meet consumers’ needs. Amidst their research, Ford realized the demographic trend of a declining birthrate. This decline has been attributed to the economic downturn as well as a decline in fertility rates. Ford also understands that “for the first time, people age 65 and over soon will outnumber children under the age of 5.” This is because the Baby Boomer generation (someone born between 1946 and 1964) is just starting to hit the 65 and older age range. There are over 76 million Americans who fall into this demographic. Ford also cites that “by 2030 the number of people over 50 years old will surpass those under 20”.
With a significant portion of the population reaching the mid-adult to senior age group, Ford wants to make sure they are able to accommodate their customers’ needs throughout their life. Currently Ford Motor Company is working on several different enhancements to their vehicles that will help monitor health and wellness. Ford is currently developing technology that will monitor heart rate and heart activity, glucose levels, and pollen counts.
Seats That Monitor Heat Rates?
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1.2 million people each year have heart attacks.* In an effort to try and monitor driver’s heart rates, Ford along with German research engineers, have produced a vehicle seat that measures the “heart’s electrical impulses and detects signs of irregularity”. These vitals are monitored by electrocardiograph technology sensors built into the seat. Even though this seat is still a prototype and not yet being mass-produced, Ford’s goal is that the technology will be able to warn drivers with heart conditions of impending problems or alert them of an upcoming heart attack.
Predicting Pollen Problems
Existing technology, Ford SYNC, will be used to monitor pollen counts as well as alert drivers of other allergens in the air. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America cites that about 60 million Americans suffer from asthma and allergy problems. “Along with providing voice control and audible alerts, Ford SYNC can display allergy information from the Allergy Alert app in the radio display area or center stack touch screen.” While it won’t eliminate pollen it will help make drivers more aware of the levels around them so they can take the appropriate measures to counteract it.
Driving With Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association states that 8.3% of the US population has diabetes. This is about 26 million adults and children. Diabetes is also one of the leading causes of death in the US. With these facts in mind, Ford wanted to develop a technology that allows drivers to monitor their glucose levels while they are traveling. A prototype system is already in place. Drivers who are diabetic will wear a glucose monitor that is able to connect via Bluetooth to Ford SYNC systems. SYNC will then be able to warn the driver on center stack displays and with audible alerts when blood glucose levels drop or are abnormal.
Do you think drivers with these health problems will take advantage of this technology Ford is working to produce?
What else would you like to see Ford do to improve on the health and wellness of drivers?
Ford Health and Wellness Information
Ford Aging Population Information
Murphy Ford Lincoln's Website
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