JAPAN: Toyota, Nintendo Doc To Develop Cars For The Elderly

Feeling nervous behind the wheel as old age kicks in? TOKYO (International Herald Tribune - AP), December 18, 2007: Prof. Ryuta Kawashima, who helped develop Nintendo's "Brain Age" games, is teaming up with Toyota to develop intelligent cars that will help seniors drive safely, the researcher said today. "We envision future cars will be able to monitor brain and emotional activity to back up elderly drivers," said Kawashima, a Tohoku University scientist who worked on Nintendo Co.'s best-selling "Brain Age" games — and whose smiling image is the guide in the series. Among technologies on the table at a joint study group are an intelligent system that can determine the driving patterns of drivers and curb any dangerous activity, Kawashima said. For example, the system could automatically slow the car down if it senses the driver is hitting the gas pedal for no reason. Future developments could involve a car navigation system or temperature control system that helps drivers stay alert, he said. "Ultimately, we hope to develop cars that stimulate brain activity, so that driving itself becomes a form of brain training," Kawashima said. Toyota Motor Corp. representatives are attending sessions of Kawashima's "Mobility and Smart Aging" study group, which he set up in May to discuss elderly friendly cars, the researcher said. The automaker and Tohoku University "are done with brainstorming and ready to start making some of the technologies," Kawashima said, adding a rudimentary system could be applied to cars in five years. He said he could not give further details until the project got off the ground. Toyota spokeswoman Kayo Doi said company engineers were working with Tohoku University but were not ready to announce any specific technologies. "Brain Age" — a brain-training game series developed by Kawashima and Japanese entertainment company Nintendo for the DS handheld game console — has sold millions of units across the globe. Kawashima says doing simple puzzles and exercises can help stimulate the brain and keep it supple. Copyright © 2007 The International Herald Tribune