Nissan reveals key research findings from its innovative Brain to Performance program.
Nissan reveals the results of its innovative and ground-breaking Brain to Performance program. The findings of this initiative, which studies driver brain function and anatomy, show how brain training protocols can successfully improve the cognitive functions of Nissan Formula E Team drivers.
Además, los datos indican que los pilotos de carreras que participaron en el entrenamiento de Nissan Brain to Performance experimentaron mejoras en la toma de decisiones complejas, la resistencia al estrés y la fatiga, y tiempos de reacción más rápidos. Estas mejoras pueden ayudar a reducir los errores en pista y maximizar el ritmo y la regularidad de los pilotos.
Continual training could enable the Nissan Formula E Team drivers to reach the maximum potential of their brains in terms of clarity, which relates to their ability to perform in high-pressure environments, and speed, measuring how quickly they can process information.
Tras el éxito de estos hallazgos, el equipo Nissan de Fórmula E planea integrar plenamente estos protocolos de entrenamiento cerebral en los programas generales de entrenamiento de sus pilotos a partir de la 10ª temporada. Se espera que los conocimientos adquiridos tanto en la fase de investigación como en la de aplicación, con nuevas adaptaciones, sean aplicables a toda la familia NISMO más allá del Campeonato Mundial de Fórmula E de la FIA, incluidos los pilotos de la serie Super GT japonesa. Además, este programa aceleró enormemente la investigación hacia el desarrollo de un sistema de mejora de las habilidades de conducción, accesible a todos los pilotos.
The Research
Cuando se lanzó Nissan Brain to Performance al final de la Temporada 7 (2020/21) de la campaña del Campeonato Mundial de Fórmula E de la ABB FIA, el equipo Nissan de Fórmula E junto con el director sénior de Innovación UX de Nissan, el Dr. Lucian Gheorghe, esbozaron tres áreas de investigación clave: comparar las funciones cerebrales de los pilotos de carreras con las de los conductores cotidianos, evaluar el vínculo entre la estimulación eléctrica del cerebro y el rendimiento en pista, y evaluar el potencial de esta tecnología para mejorar las habilidades generales de conducción fuera de las carreras.
In Season 8, the research phase of the Brain to Performance project was initiated. As part of this research, two control groups were formed – one that underwent brain stimulation and one that did not. Non-professional drivers in these groups participated in testing sessions on race simulators at the University of Essex and the Geneva-based Campus Biotech. They completed 10 sessions on a track they had not seen before, and the final findings revealed that the brain-stimulated group performed 50 percent faster and learned the circuits 50 percent quicker.
In addition, they were compared to the Nissan Formula E Team drivers for that season, and the results demonstrated that the racing drivers exhibited higher visuo-motor skills, increased brain coordination, and greater biological status awareness.
Following these results, in Season 9 Dr. Gheorghe collaborated with US-based technology partner Wave Neuro to develop a comprehensive bespoke driver training program for the Nissan Formula E Team drivers.
Driver Training Program
The training involved the Nissan Formula E Team drivers undergoing baseline neuro scans using an EEG device. With the data collected, Dr. Gheorghe, with support from the University of Texas at Austin and the scientists at Wave Neuro, created tailored training programs utilizing a brain-stimulating Sonal device.
This device uses certain frequencies to target specific areas of the brain, aimed at helping with jet lag and sleep deprivation, improving reaction times, and minimizing human error, especially in high-pressure environments.
Wave Neuro has previous experience employing these training protocols alongside the United States military to aid individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. They have also worked with professional American football players who have experienced brain injuries. Both Dr. Erik Won, President & Chief Medical Officer of Wave Neuro, and Dr. Gheorghe recognized the potential to integrate this into a performance-based training program. They collaborated to create these customized protocols for the Nissan Formula E Team drivers.
The Findings
After using the Sonal device throughout Season 9, a final scan was conducted to assess its impact on their cognitive functions. Improvements in both brain speed and clarity supported the research hypothesis, and it was concluded that further training with this device over an extended period could assist drivers in optimizing their performances.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team, comentó: "Es emocionante ser pioneros en esta área de investigación dentro del mundo del automovilismo. Nissan se enorgullece de atreverse a hacer lo que otros no hacen. Durante las tres últimas temporadas de Fórmula E, hemos trabajado diligentemente para entender qué diferencia el cerebro de los pilotos profesionales del de los no profesionales, y cómo podemos utilizar esta información para mejorar el rendimiento de los pilotos en la pista".
“The results following the training program are extremely exciting and demonstrate that with the right tools we can help our drivers reach their full potential. With the integration of the Brain to Performance program to Nissan Formula E Team from Season 10, we are eagerly anticipating how this program will continue to evolve for the drivers, the team, and Nissan more widely.”
Dr Lucian Gheorghe, Nissan’s UX Innovation Senior Manager, said: “Since the beginning of the Brain to Performance program, we knew there was great potential for this neuro-stimulating technology to help improve on-track performances of the Nissan Formula E Team drivers. Our research conducted through Seasons 7 and 8 showed that people’s abilities to learn and retain knowledge was significantly enhanced. The training protocols developed together with Plato Science and Wave Neuro further confirmed this, with improvements in the drivers’ cognitive functions.
“Following these encouraging results, we believe this technology could provide a substantial benefit far beyond the world of motorsports. Backed up by our earlier research at the University of Essex, Campus Bio-Tech and Brain-credible, we are excited to uncover further opportunities for this to be used in Nissan’s electric vehicles of the future. I would like to thank all of our partners who have made this possible over the past few seasons and look forward to further developments over the coming years.”
Driving towards the future with Brain to Performance
Nissan aims to leverage its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and the road to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) experience for its customers. Together with the University of Texas at Austin, Nissan is exploring how this technology could continue to evolve and be integrated into Nissan dealerships. More specifically, how the brain computer interface-based training could be designed to assist customers improving their driving skills quicker. Nissan Formula E Team continues to focus on achieving the highest level of excitement for its drivers by being able to fully exploit Nissan’s EV potential. As the research continues to develop, the more we know and the more we can apply the findings in creative and exciting ways.
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