COLOGNE: Little details count in the car-making process like how to ensure drinks stay in the cup – or open bottle when a car is on the move.
Ford designers and engineers have devised the “Rollercoaster Test” to test how well various containers hold their drinks.
The test – during which designers and engineers take to Ford’s test track in Merkenich, Germany – subjects hundreds of different cups to 5g forces in their cup holder – equivalent to riding a theme park coaster on a high-speed slalom course before being driven at top speed. The test is on top of the one million miles of cup holder testing on public roads during a new model development.
“For drivers, being able to easily reach for a favourite drink is a fundamental part of a comfortable journey. But more than that, staying hydrated on the move helps drivers stay focussed on the road ahead,” said Martin Dawid, manager, Body Engineering, Ford of Europe.
And for those about to experience a holiday hangover when the daily grind starts again, Ford’s Science of Sound playlists can come to the rescue. In a study conducted jointly with Spotify, drivers across Europe listened to different commuting playlists then had their mood analysed by Amy Belfi, a cognitive neuroscientist from New York University. She found that sad songs with a driving beat worked especially well, giving drivers a mood-boost that can last for up to two hours after the journey’s end.
