Universal Design in Cars

by Louis on September 15, 2011

Universal Design means products that work for as many people as possible without special adaptation. Not everyone uses things in the same way. And you may want to use the same thing a bit differently this time than you did last time.  Universal Design means changes do not require expensive and permanent change. Whether it is you using a product or space differently or someone else using it, adjustability, what I will call a corollary to Universal Design helps approach one of the Seven Universal Design PrinciplesFlexibility. Bicycle seats are a good example. They have always been adjustable, but used to require a wrench. Now there is a lever for quick adjustments.

Cars are a good place to see adjustability in action. Most cars work quite well for many people. The seat and mirror have been adjustable as long as I can remember. We are all use to adjusting the seat, rearview and side mirrors when we get into a car.

Adjustability has been increasing over the years. Electric seats started with ‘six ways’ that moved back and forth, up and down and adjusted for tilt years ago. Many cars allow the seatback to be adjusted and some have a movable lumbar support. The headrests almost always go up and down to make a good fit.

Then some cars with electric seats started to have a few pre-sets so a couple folks who use that car regularly can have their positioning in memory.  That is a pretty clear recognition of the point, useful, with ease for different users. Tilt and telescopic steering wheels make it easy to get things close to just right. The ultimate may be pedals mounted on a bar that moves closer and farther. It is easy to see how important this can be. We have almost a foot height range in drivers in my household.

These adjustments mean only the very extremes of height differences are problems, because frankly, many people fit without much more than the seat moving back and forth. This is Universal Design, a wider market and more usability by making a product usable by more people without special adaptation. What a great idea!

And what about corollary benefits- one of my UD passions? Reduce fatigue by repositioning on a long drive.  Can you think of some others?

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