Ford Designed a Crib That Replicates Riding in a Car
Ford’s new bassinet is here to aide sleep-deprived parents’ lives.
Alright, I lied. This crib probably won't make your offspring enjoy the sound of a V12 with ITBs, or express the slightest bit of interest in the crazy bosozoku cars stancing their way around Japan. But what this crib will do might make you appreciate the company a little bit more.
If you're a parent, you probably know what happens when a child is born: You stop sleeping very well. Considering my daughter has decided that the past week needed a 3 a.m. wake-up time, I can relate to this one more than ever right now. One common trick that my parents used on me—or at least my mother claims she did—was to take me for car rides. We would hop in the car, and within a few minutes, I would be out like a light and my parents would get a little bit more shuteye before I inevitably woke them. They got to go for a drive and I got to nap; pretty sweet concept.
So what if your child was able to go for a drive without you having to put forth this vehicular effort? Ford reached out to its Spanish design studio, which created a neat concept that accomplishes just this. Meet the Max Motor Dream Crib: an app-connected bassinet which allows your child to experience a car ride by creating an enclosed sensory experience. Rings of LEDs are used to simulate passing street lights, while the base of the cradle gently moves to simulate the movements of a passenger in a car's seat.
This movement data was captured in vehicles by the engineering team, using a series of accelerometers to ensure an authentic feeling of movements—from turns, to hills, to the gentle movement of the suspension, all so your kid can finally fall asleep. A speaker is even built into the bottom of the unit to simulate gentle engine and road noise, to provide a lulling environment for the child.
Want one, parents? Yeah, me too—but unfortunately, this is a one-off promotional item. Luckily, the chance is still there! If you live in the right part of the world, Ford is giving it away as part of a raffle if you test-drive its MAX series cars.
Check it out more on Ford's official site.
