Agreed with age your eyesight gets weaker, you get sloppy and your midriff expands, but we don't need someone rubbing that in our face! Nissan Motor is developing a specialized driver's suit and goggles to simulate the bad balance, stiff joints, weaker eyesight and extra five kilograms (11lbs) that affect the aged. Associate chief designer Etsuhiro Watanabe says the suit's weight and constriction help in determining functionality and accessibility limits within cars experienced by mobility-challenged. "Difficulty in walking, back pains, trouble in lifting arms -- we wanted to consider assorted infirmities," said Watanabe of the concept known as universal design. "It's easy to do this for the young, but we wanted to design for adverse conditions and see what modifications are needed."

In Japan over 40 percent of the population is expected to be over 65 by mid-century. Nissan says the suit and glasses help decide dashboard angles and visibility issues, as well as driver space and support. "It's very difficult to drive", says Nissan's Naoki Yamamoto after a turn at the wheel in a suit that runs from neck to feet.

"You lose the freedom you're accustomed to, and while you can move, there are limitations, such as turning the steering wheel or switching on the blinker."

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