The programme, which studies driver brain function and anatomy, showed improvements in complex decision-making, stress and fatigue resilience, and reaction times. These enhancements can help reduce on-track errors and maximize drivers' pace and consistency.
The findings of the Brain to Performance programme indicate that continual training could enable the Nissan Formula E Team drivers to reach the maximum potential of their brains in terms of clarity and speed.
The programme plans to fully integrate these brain training protocols into the drivers' overall training programmes from Season 10. The knowledge gained from the research and application stages is expected to be applicable to the wider Nismo family, including drivers in the Japanese Super GT series.
The research phase of the Brain to Performance project began in Season 8, with two control groups formed to evaluate the link between electrical brain stimulation and on-track performance.
The brain-stimulated group performed 50 percent faster and learned circuits 50 percent quicker compared to the non-stimulated group. The racing drivers also exhibited higher visuo-motor skills, increased brain coordination, and greater biological status awareness.
In Season 9, a comprehensive bespoke driver training programme was developed for the Nissan Formula E Team drivers.
The training involved baseline neuro scans using an EEG device, and tailored training programmes were created using a brain-stimulating Sonal device.
The Sonal device targets specific areas of the brain to help with jet lag, sleep deprivation, reaction times, and minimising human error in high-pressure environments.
The final scan conducted after using the Sonal device throughout Season 9 showed improvements in brain speed and clarity, supporting the research hypothesis.
Further training with the device over an extended period could assist drivers in optimising their performances.
Nissan Formula E Team managing director and team principal Tommaso Volpe expressed excitement about the results and the potential of the Brain to Performance programme.
He said that with the integration of the programme from Season 10, they are eagerly anticipating how it will continue to evolve for the drivers, the team, and Nissan as a whole.
Nissan's UX Innovation Senior Manager Dr Lucian Gheorghe highlighted the potential of the neuro-stimulating technology beyond the world of motorsports. He said the technology could provide substantial benefits and be used in Nissan's electric vehicles of the future.
Nissan aims to leverage its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and the road to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) experience for its customers.
The company is exploring how the Brain to Performance technology could be integrated into Nissan dealerships to help customers in improving their driving skills quicker.
As the research continues to develop, Nissan hopes to uncover further opportunities to apply the findings in creative and exciting ways.
The Brain to Performance programme represents Nissan's commitment to pushing boundaries and utilizing innovative technologies to enhance driver performance and the overall EV experience.
