Sweating in your car seat can be uncomfortable, and Nissan has an innovative approach to address this issue by introducing a feature that changes the color of your seats and steering wheel based on your sweat. This advanced technology aims to inform you of your hydration levels, encouraging you to drink more water to stay alert while driving.
Design researcher Paulien Routs has tackled this unseen problem with the development of the Nissan Juke SOAK in partnership with Droog Design.
SOAK, which stands for “sweat sensitive textile coating,” is a material that alters its color to indicate your hydration status. This coating can also be applied as a spray on your clothing, especially workout attire, to signal when it’s time to hydrate.
But how does this apply to vehicles? Nissan points out that dehydration can significantly impair driving performance, impacting reaction times and overall vigilance. In fact, it can be as detrimental as driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent, according to a 2015 study by Loughborough University in London, funded by the European Hydration Institute. Therefore, if your car reminds you to drink water while you’re on the road, it could potentially make you a safer driver.
While this concept is intriguing, it also seems a bit unusual. It’s hard to imagine this technology making its way into production models, as many drivers might not want their car interiors to change color or for their seats to analyze their sweat.
Nismo racing driver Lucas Ordonez showcases the Nissan Juke SOAK following a workout.
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