Could Ford’s Emoji Jacket be the answer to our road sharing woes?
Ford has created a prototype jacket designed to improve communications between cyclists and drivers using emojis.As cities grow in population and more people commute to and from work on bike, it has never been more important to talk about shared road safety. Communication between drivers and cyclists can be difficult with riders having to remove their hands from the handlebars to indicate changes in direction or to express thanks.
So how can riders and drivers communicate with each other more easily and clearer? With the use of emojis of course. Emojis have been described as the first language born of the digital world with most people now expressing themselves using emojis via messaging apps and social media rather than words.
With this in mind, as part of its ‘Share The Road’ campaign, Ford commissioned a prototype Emoji Jacket. This one-of-a-kind creation was designed to show how communication could be improved by allowing cyclists to easily and clearly show drivers what their intentions are as well as how they are feeling.
“We are now living – and driving – in a world where communication is crucial. But all too often between drivers and cyclists this just comes down to the beeping of a horn or a rude gesture.” Says Emmanuel Lubrani from Ford’s ‘Share The Road’ initiative.
“Cyclists usually have to take a hand off the handlebars to communicate. The Emoji Jacket uses a universally understood means of communication to show one way in which tensions could be eased – and we all learn to ‘Share The Road’.”
So how does it work? The jacket features an LED mesh panel that can display one of three emojis, happy, sad and neutral faces. As well as left and right arrows and a hazard signal to warn the drivers behind of any upcoming dangers.
All the cyclist has to do to activate each symbol on the jacket is select the correct button on a wireless remote mounted on the handlebars. A pretty nifty prototype but unfortunately as it is a one-off creation, it is not available to buy.
Related: New Ford ute set to hit global smartphones in 2020
Related: Queensland drivers can now have an emoji number plate
Related: Volvo develops new bike helmet crash-test to help keep cyclists safe in car accidents
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