Monday 20th December 2004

New Swiss car senses the driver

Gas-powered Senso keeps "in tune with the driver."

---

On 1 March 2005, Swiss car designer and solution specialist Rinspeed and plastic manufacturer Bayer MaterialScience will launch the weird-looking "Senso concept car", said to be part of their "ideas and visions for the next generation of cars."

Rinspeed reckons lateral thinking, looking at things from a new angle, thinking out of the box and feeding the senses -- sight, touch, feel, smell and hearing -- are major elements of the development work that has gone into the "Rinspeed Senso".

According to the official statement, the Senso "senses the driver and adjusts to him/her. This is especially important as the risk of an accident is significantly reduced if the person behind the wheel is relaxed and wide awake."

This project also involves a system of sensors developed by the Universities of Zurich and Innsbruck. Smart Surface Technology, a new 3D-formable electroluminescent film from Bayer MaterialScience and the Swiss electronics specialist Lumitec, uses biometric data and other information to create an appropriate level of light for the driver, thereby having a positive effect on him/her.

The Senso, which runs on natural gas, said to reduce CO2 emissions, "puts the central focus on the driver as an individual and appeals to the emotions thanks to its unusual design. It also features an innovative outer skin coating."

Rinspeed says the Senso is designed to polarise opinions. With no performance data to go on, we're tending more to fall asleep here at PH Towers...

[tuttle]

Not a very attractive looking car imo,however,the idea of using technologies to enhance driver;concentration,alertness & well-being are(& therefore driver efficiency& safety),in escence,a really good idea.
Rinspeed being a small & free-thinking outfit,will probably develop something usefully embrionic.Though will be hard pushed to develop large scale & easily manufacturable advances here.Will prob take several generations of investment from the big boys unfortunately.

[mechsympathy]

It's a good idea, but what will the car do when it senses how embarassed the driver is to be seen in it

[hertsbiker]

mechsympathy said:

It's a good idea, but what will the car do when it senses how embarassed the driver is to be seen in it

it'll tint the windows to max darkness via LCD panels, boost the turbo for a quick gettaway !!

[ultimasimon]

hertsbiker said:

mechsympathy said: It's a good idea, but what will the car do when it senses how embarassed the driver is to be seen in it it'll tint the windows to max darkness via LCD panels, boost the turbo for a quick gettaway !!

..and alert the authorities that an offence has been committed

[lanciachris]

Safety features ahoy!

Car smells that driver has pooed himself, car stops and chucks him out. then drives to a valeter.

[errek72]

mechsympathy said:

It's a good idea, but what will the car do when it senses how embarassed the driver is to be seen in it

Hopefully it doesn't flip into lemming mode and goes for the nearest clif

[RobDickinson]

hmm gass powered eh?

Should put the sales of beans and real ale way up!