The First Drive simulator seamlessly integrates adapted car hardware and gaming software, combining these elements to create a cohesive and effective rehabilitation innovation.

The success of the project relied on meticulous design and engineering, customising sim driving software with haptic, responsive physical hardware, delivering a real-life driving experience in a safe, virtual space.

In Spain, there are an estimated 1,000 cases of spinal cord injuries annually*. And 2 key State Reference Centres (CRE) specializing in the treatment of these complex injuries: the National Hospital for Paraplegics in Toledo and the Guttmann Institute Neurorehabilitation Hospital in Badalona (Barcelona). This partnership was created between the larger of the two hospitals, treating over 250 new spinal cord injury patients annually** and Ford, one of the biggest suppliers of adapted vehicles across Spain.

Many of these patients, as a consequence of their injury, lose their ability to drive as they once did and need to relearn to drive an adapted vehicle. Given the country's expansive geography and the significance of driving for independence, there is a notable reliance on adapted vehicles, with approximately 25,000 recorded in 2023**.

However, there isn’t a dedicated program or equipment aimed at rehabilitating patients to relearn and adapt to driving. This gap in the recovery and rehabilitation process was the heart of the objective and opportunity and became the foundation for the partnership.

Source:

*Disability Information Service (SID)

**National Federation ASPAYM (Association of people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities)

*** General Directorate of Traffic

Situation

Three components give context to this idea.

- National Hospital for Paraplegics in Toledo, who treat over 250 new spinal cord injury patients annually

- Ford's leadership position in producing Adapted Vehicles (Ford Adapta)

- Ford's Engagement in esports and Virtual Racing (Team Fordzilla, est. 2019)

While the hospital had general physical treatment programs, there was no dedicated equipment or treatment program to specifically rehabilitate patients – physically and psychologically – to drive again.

Brief

To address this need by forming a partnership between the Hospital and Ford,

leveraging and integrating Ford's gaming and Adapta knowledge into the hospitals therapy program.

Objective

To create a dedicated piece of equipment that could be added to the therapy program, to increase the focus on driving rehabilitation and accelerate the recovery of patients in recovery, demonstrating Ford's commitment to inclusivity and mobility, in a way that has immediate and sustained societal benefit.

Our idea was to create a unique driving simulator aimed at rehabilitating returning drivers, combining the physical controls of an adapted car with the gaming software of virtual driving.

This unique combination provided a safe and supportive environment for patients to

learn and develop the new motor skills needed for driving an adapted car, while also rebuilding the confidence required to get back into a vehicle and drive again.

The simulator was integrated into the treatment program of National Hospital for Paraplegics, the leading specialist hospital treating patients with spinal cord injuries.

The idea is positive expression of Ford’s global brand promise of ‘helping people move freely and pursue their dreams’, making mobility inclusive and accessible for all.

The custom-built Simulator seamlessly integrates adapted car hardware with sim driving gaming software, enabling a combination of physical muscle development and virtually realistic driving experience.

Haptic feedback controls offer true driving experiences, including accurately weighted steering and a dedicated haptic vest transmitting g-force and road sounds and response.

Three panoramic 4k monitors and VR headset compatibility provides an immersive, high-fidelity experience – allowing real as possible driving, without risk.

The open-platform software is compatible with all consoles and could run all driving games. Assetto Corsa was chosen for its hyper-realistic graphics and ability to modify the courses to include everyday driving situations.

The simulator is housed permanently at Toledo National Paraplegic Hospital, already having treated 200 patients and estimated to treat 250+ p/a.The simulator concept is also for sale in various forms and a mobile version of the experience exists to make the initiative accessible to communities with limited mobility.