A study by design studio NewTerritory has found that commercial vehicle (CV) drivers prefer vehicle interiors to have comfort features, instead of convenience technology.
The most desirable design improvement in vehicles for CV drivers was adjustable seating with posture memory, with 58% selecting it as one of the three improvements they would value the most.
Ambient lighting and mood settings came next (43%), followed by adaptable interiors, which allow cabs to function as workspaces (41%), fully reclining seats to enable resting (36%), and heated, cooled and massaging seats (25%).
Convenience-based technology features were less important than comfort features to respondents to the study, with 18% of drivers valuing automated trip planning, 12% valuing calendar integration and appointment alerts, 11% wishing for automated coffee and food ordering, and 10% valuing a hydration station with reminders.
NewTerritory has warned that van cabins could cause drivers to suffer from stress, fatigue, and musculoskeletal discomfort, if designs do not prioritise driver comfort.
NewTerritory aims to redefine vans as mobile offices and rest spaces that cater for driver wellbeing, instead of just scaled-down cars.
Luke Miles, founder at NewTerritory, said: “Commercial vehicle drivers aren’t asking for flashy, car-like tech. They want a workspace that cares for their bodies, sharpens their focus and helps them recover between shifts.
“We need to start designing commercial vehicles to act as multi-modal hosts which adapt to the occupants’ changing needs over time, rather than simply means of transport.
“When you stop thinking of a van as a machine and start thinking of it as a host, everything changes and we think van manufacturers which ignore this design mindset shift, will be left behind.
“Putting the driver first is crucial, they deserve and want environments that are not just functional, but restorative.
“This is about supporting their bodies, boosting concentration and reducing strain.”
