Nissan Starts Advanced Brain Training for Formula E Drivers

Click to Enlarge.

In what is an inevitable development in the unending quest for speed, Nissan said today that it is using brain function and anatomy research for training and development for its Formula E drivers Sebastien Buemi and Oliver Rowland. The program, called Nissan Brain to Performance, uses advanced brain imaging and analysis to determine the anatomical specifics of high performance, professional drivers. The program aims to develop custom optimized training to enhance the brain functions and anatomy related to driving and racing.

The program will be directed by Japanese resident Dr. Lucian Gheorghe. He is knowledgeable in the field of brain analysis and training, and part of the ongoing Nissan advanced research on how to enhance the connection between people and vehicles. The immediate priority of the Nissan Brain to Performance program is to enhance the performance of Nissan’s Formula E racers. It of course has broad applicability to connected and autonomous vehicles and their drivers/occupants.

Dr. Gheorghe’s background includes a master’s degree in computer and systems engineering from Kobe University’s School of Science and Technology. Recently the Romanian-born Gheorghe was involved in applied neuroscience research to achieve a balance between driving pleasure and safety at the Nissan Research Center. To advance that research, he joined Ecole Polytechnique Federal du Lausanne in Switzerland as a guest researcher.

“Our brains are incredibly powerful. Without us realizing it, they perform a multitude of critical functions every second we drive our cars. Our highly trained and experienced Nissan Formula E drivers perform these functions under intense pressure and at great speed as they constantly search for faster lap times, “ said Gheorghe. “Our new Nissan Brain to Performance program seeks to understand what it is about their brains’ electrical activity that enables them to do what they do. Then, if we can, we’d like to help them further improve their performance through custom brain training. In the future, could our cutting-edge research help improve the driving skills of the average driver, and inform the development of our road-going EVs? We hope so.”

The first stage of the new program will involve comprehensive analysis and testing of the Formula E racers’ brain functions, compared against a control group of ‘average,’ non-racing drivers. All drivers will perform a range of tasks on driving simulators while their brain activity is monitored and recorded. Based on the results, a  custom driver training program involving electrical brain stimulation will be developed with the aim of improving driver performance.

Key Research

• Understanding how Nissan Formula E drivers’ brain functions and anatomy differ in comparison to average drivers:
  – By establishing a spectrum of driver brain activity, the program will provide a clear understanding of the impact of electrical brain stimulation.
• Through the use of electrical brain stimulation, can a professional driver’s brain be enhanced to improve on-track performance:
  – Once existing brain activity is known, a custom driver training program of electrical brain stimulation can be initiated, monitored, and reported.
• Can brain computer interface training be used to enhance general driving skills, with a longer-term goal to inform and enhance future Nissan EV product development, with a focus on achieving the highest level of driver excitement and focus:
  – Recommendations to be made around the intuitive nature of future EV product development, based on an increased understanding of bio-electricity to further enhance the driving experience.