This idea pushes the boundaries and definition of what gaming can achieve in society.

The integration of gaming technology into rehabilitation represents an innovative, inclusive approach to addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities. It demonstrates how gaming can be used as a tool for social good and positive impact, transcending traditional boundaries and stereotypes.

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.

Ford's global brand purpose centres around the concept of "Mobility for All", dedicated to innovation, inclusivity, and social responsibility, with a focus on creating a future where everyone can move freely and pursue their dreams.

This idea sits at the heart of that.

For a brand that makes adapted vehicles, it demonstrated empathy to understand that the vehicle can be adapted, but the mindset, confidence and ‘relearning’ to drive component for a person, is significant.

And that there was a need for a specialised, focused treatment that could build that confidence.

The insight, that relearning to drive in middle age, after a life-changing event, is probably more intimidating than when you first got your license, drove the execution.

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 simulator is situated at the National Hospital for Paraplegics and was introduced to the hospital in a pilot program in Q1 2023, intended to complement the existing but general treatment program.

The doctors and therapists embraced the simulator as an additive, specialised piece of equipment, specifically focussing on driving.

The pilot success has led to permanent inclusion into the program and mobile experiences have been introduced to make the initiative accessible to those with limited mobility.

The Simulator, originally introduced as a pilot, has become a permanent part of the hospital’s treatment program, estimated to treat approximately 250 patients a year.

Of the 200 patients that went through the pilot program, 21 have received their adapted car driver’s license.

Qualitatively, patients feel that the simulator has helped them approach driving and recovery more positively.

Doctors and treatment specialists at the hospital have embraced the initiative.

Ivan, one of the first patients to use the simulator, has gone on to become an ambassador of the program.

The impact goes beyond the hospital too:

A Transit van mobile experience simulator has been developed, allowing the program to spread beyond the single hospital.

Thanks to the simulator, Ford is looking to include handicapped players in their pro gaming team Fordzilla.

While this wasn’t designed for publicity, more than 50 news outlets have reported on the existence of the simulator.

The custom-built Simulator needed to seamlessly offer both physical muscle development and a realistic driving experience.

Each component underwent meticulous design consideration: Touchpoints, materials, scalability, flexibility and inclusivity.

Adapted vehicle controls are customizable for individual patient needs, replicating real car weight and touch for motor skills development and strength building.

Haptic feedback controls deliver authentic driving sensations, with accurately weighted steering and a dedicated haptic vest for g-force and road sounds.

This idea challenged the role a driving simulator plays, from entertainment and leisure, to rehabilitation.

It set an example of the power of gaming when boundaries are removed and inclusivity is embraced.

This not only has inspired patients to pursue their adapted vehicle driver's licenses, but also fostered a competitive gaming community within the hospital where patients can engage in e-sports and potentially join Ford's gaming team

Beyond the hospital, the simulator has become a mobile experience that’s traveling across the country, making sim-racing accessible to gamers with disabilities and reduced mobility.