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The Challenges Facing Automobile Manufacturers
Meeting our responsibilities, while creating cars people want to drive
First Japanese manufacturer to offer vehicles for people with special needs
Mazda's work on the development and promotion of special needs
vehicles is based on the concept of producing cars that are kind to
everyone, and can be used safely by everyone. During fiscal 2004, we
took orders for 1,017 special needs vehicles, up 30% from the previous
year.
Mazda began offering the first special needs vehicle with a ramp, for
wheelchair users, based on its compact Carol cars, in 1995, taking the
lead over higher-ranking domestic automobile manufacturers.
At present, we are working on building up our i-Series lineup of special
needs cars, incorporating lift-up passenger seats, second lift-up seats,
side seat-lifter cars, cars for transporting wheelchairs, cars with rotating
passenger seats, and various other functions that make using a car an
easier and more pleasant experience for both the elderly and disabled,
and also for their drivers or caregivers.
Our development of special needs vehicles is based on the Health and
Welfare Ministry data which suggests that 'more than 70% of caregivers
are women over the age of 50'. As such, we have focused on issues such
as reducing the energy required when entering or leaving a vehicle,
simplifying vehicle operation, and increasing comfort and safety, when
manufacturing these vehicles.
In order to meet the needs of our customers, too, we have begun working
on offering specially-modified accessible versions of our new model cars
as soon as possible, and began offering a retractable-lift passenger seat
version of the new Premacy in May of this year.
Demio with revolving passenger seat
Premacy with lifting / lowering passenger seat
Demio with ramp for transporting wheelchairs
The Challenge of Universal Design
Mazda is taking up the challenge of universal design, with the aim of
making its cars easy to use for all. As a basis to this, we are working on
creating driving positions that do not depend on a particular passenger
or driver physique, as well as seat arrangements that can be changed
by anyone, regardless of how much strength they have in their arms or
legs. We also give high priority to easy operation and positioning,
simple-to-understand controls, organizational and functional comfort,
and safety issues. We are engaged in development of functional and
attractive controls, based on ergonomic principles, which can be used
in comfort by all. The Verisa's central console, for example, features
controls that have been designed using a process that quantifies the
extent to which they are turned and strength with which they are
operated, so as to provide ease and comfort of operation for any user.
The Verisa’s central console switch, which
incorporates elements of ergonomic design
The Premacy's third row seats incorporate simple
one-action seat arrangement features, including
lightweight cushions that drop down automatically
as the seat back is folded.
Glossary: 1
Universal design
The philosophy of designing in such a way that
anyone can understand and use the product or space
with ease, regardless of age, gender, physique,
disability or other attributes.
Social & Environmental Report 2005