Carmakers Shift Focus to Driver Wellness, Introducing ‘Relaxation Modes’ and Health-Focused Tech
Automobile manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing driver well-being, moving beyond conventionalโ metrics of speed, power, and comfort to incorporate technologies โคdesigned to reduce stress and promote relaxation,โ according to recent observations by industry analysts and car โjournalists. This shift reflects a growingโข understandingโข that cars are no longer simply transportation, but “safe and relaxing personal oases,” as car journalist Egidijus Babelis put โขit.
“Cars were never just vehicles. If that were theโ case, Dacia woudl be enough on theโ market for an ordinary driver or Hyundai for those seekingโ more comfort. โBut โcar companies have always tried to offerโ much more:โ freedom, power, โขcomfort, image, pleasure or even history,” Babelis commented. “I still think when โnewโค cars willโค reach a technological โฃpeak. Theyโ seem to have everything – both what they need and what we may not need, and even what we didn’tโฃ even think about. But the engineersโฃ still โfind whatโค to surprise.”
Eastern manufacturers,particularly those in China,are leading the charge โคwith features like dedicated recreation and meditation modes. Theseโ systems automatically adjust โthe driver’s โฃseat to a cozy position, play calming sounds orโ music, and optimizeโ climate โcontrol forโ a relaxing environment – all while the vehicle is parked. โ
Hyundai is also integrating wellness features into its lineup, offering a “relaxing โขdriver seat” in modelsโ like the Ioniq 5, Santa Fe, and Ioniq 9. This seat โextends to create a zero-gravity โคsensation, butโค is designed for โuse โคonly when the car โis stationary.
