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.
En outre, les données indiquent que les pilotes de course qui ont participé à la formation Nissan Brain to Performance ont amélioré leur capacité à prendre des décisions complexes, à résister au stress et à la fatigue, et à accélérer leur temps de réaction. Ces améliorations peuvent contribuer à réduire les erreurs sur la piste et à optimiser le rythme et la régularité des pilotes.
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.
Suite à ces résultats positifs, l'équipe Nissan Formula E Team prévoit d'intégrer pleinement ces protocoles d'entraînement cérébral dans les programmes d'entraînement généraux de ses pilotes à partir de la saison 10. Les connaissances acquises lors des phases de recherche et d'application, avec d'autres adaptations, devraient être applicables à l'ensemble de la famille NISMO au-delà du championnat du monde de Formule E de la FIA, y compris aux pilotes de la série japonaise Super GT. En outre, ce programme a fortement accéléré la recherche visant à développer un système d'amélioration des compétences de conduite, accessible à tous les pilotes.
The Research
Lors du lancement de Nissan Brain to Performance à la fin de la saison 7 (2020/21) de la campagne du Championnat du monde ABB FIA de Formule E, l'équipe Nissan Formula E ainsi que le responsable principal de l'innovation UX de Nissan, le Dr Lucian Gheorghe, ont défini trois domaines de recherche clés : comparer les fonctions cérébrales des pilotes de course à celles des conducteurs de tous les jours, évaluer le lien entre la stimulation électrique du cerveau et les performances sur piste, et évaluer le potentiel de cette technologie pour améliorer les compétences générales de conduite en dehors de la course.
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, a commenté : "Il est passionnant d'être pionnier dans ce domaine de recherche dans le monde du sport automobile. Nissan s'enorgueillit d'oser faire ce que les autres ne font pas. Au cours des trois dernières saisons de Formule E, nous avons travaillé avec diligence pour comprendre ce qui différencie le cerveau des pilotes professionnels de celui des pilotes non professionnels, et comment nous pouvons utiliser ces informations pour améliorer les performances des pilotes sur la piste.
“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.
... notes du SP