There are tailor-made things available in the society, to fit in the needs of individual. Now comes a moment to have a car to mould the body of the user- yes, an anthropometric data collection is on the process, thanks to the efforts by the Automotive Research Association of India. The details of this project will be made available soon, as the survey was over by next September. The main areas of the body of a car that needs to be revamped are – leg space, headroom, view of bonnet from seat. Once the data are presented, the rectifications on these part would be carried out – increase in the dimensions of the height of the seat, legroom, foot room and pedal size. Such traits would ease from fatigue and enhance human efficiency.

The factor is that there is no fixed standard among the car makers in India for these sort of necessities, according to Passive Safety Lab, a constituent of ARAI. The project is funded by the government of India under Heavy Industries ministry. The anthropometric survey is subjected to the persons in the age group of 18-60 in about 5000 numbers, measuring their height, weight, key physical features, by which standards can be set. So far ARAI has got data from 600 persons belonging to the Western India and the scanning process is on in Gurgaon for the Northern India, as the process is meant for five zones – north, south, west, east and central. The data process will be done by the University of Pune and is expected to be completed by 2010. The data would enable the car makers to optimised their design methodology for comfortable driving for the local people. The data will be more than to the automotive industry – apparel industry, textiles, shoes, helmet etc.