New Technology from Nissan
Published Date: 4th May 2017
Currently in the prototype stages, the Nissan Signal Shield is cleverly integrated into the armrest of the Nissan Juke. This creates a signal free zone for the phone that’s aimed at silencing the handset and providing zero distraction to the driver by blocking all cellular, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections.
The armrest top compartment is lined with a Faraday cage, which isn’t exactly new technology since the invention was from the 1830’s by Michael Faraday. The cage is made up of layers of conductive material that absorbs any radio waves and distributes them around the material so they can never reach the device inside.
The new signal shield concept from Nissan
As you may know, the modern smart-phone can cause a host of distractions not only from messages, email and phone calls but by the social media apps loaded on the phone. Many of these apps like to push notifications to the phone and make a little sound or light up the screen when the alert is received. With this concept Nissan is giving the driver a choice to eliminate the distractions by putting your phone in the armrest and concentrate fully on the road ahead. Of course you can just turn your phone off but with this safety feature it’s ready to go straight out of the box.
Recent figures from the RAC suggest that mobile phone usage behind the wheel is on the increase and a growing problem. The number of drivers openly admitting to having contact with their phone whilst driving was 8% in 2014, this has now nearly quadrupled to 31% when the same survey was carried out in 2016. Nissan also carried out their own survey and found 18%, almost 1 in 5 drivers admitted to texting from the driver’s seat.
Managing Director of Nissan Motor GB Ltd Alex Smith said; “Nissan produces some of the safest cars on the road today, but we are always looking at new ways to improve the wellbeing of our customers. Mobile phone use at the wheel is a growing concern across the automotive industry, and indeed society, particularly with the high number of ‘pushed’ communications, such as texts, social media notifications and app alerts that tempt drivers to reach for their devices.”
“The Nissan Signal Shield concept presents one possible solution for giving drivers the choice to remove all smartphone distractions while driving. This is about delivering more control at the wheel, not less. Some drivers are immune to the activity of their smartphone, but for those who struggle to ignore the beeps and pings, this concept provides a simple solution in this very ‘connected’ world we live in.”