Toyota is working on a car that will  help senior drivers stay alert.

Since Japan has one of the world's oldest populations, keeping aging drivers independent and alert is considered to be a very important goal.

"We are pooling our wisdom to develop a system that would enable (the elderly) to become more active mentally and physically by driving a car," Professor Ryuta Kawashima of Tohoku University reports.

Toyota grabbed a good portion of the American car market back in the 70's by giving baby boomers smaller, more fuel efficent cars.  Now it is thinking ahead to provide for those same drivers' special  needs as they age.

Other car companies are taking note this time.  Nissan, Japan's third largest carmaker is also beginning to show interest in the senior drivers' research.

Will these cars become trends?

We should know by 2015-2020.  Those are the projected years for the first models.

Now if they would just come out with a car that drives itself….

'Brain-Training' Expert Links with Toyota on Cars for Elderly

Popularity: 6% [?]

• Age in Place Specialists Get Valuable Training for Senior Housing The National Association of Homebuilders is doing a good service for aging seniors by providing aging in place certification for remodelers and homebuilders  who want to specialize in this unique type of housing.In order to become a Certified Aging in Place Specialist the remodeler or homebuilder must attend a three day course that......
• 3 Ways to Avoid Christmas Stress with Your Aging Parents The holidays can be both exciting and depressing for older seniors. Even if your aging parents have limitations such as dementia, there are still many ways you can turn the Christmas season into a happy celebration for everyone involved. 1. Plan holiday activities your aging parents are able to participate inKeep these  events simple.Take......
• Acts of Kindness Toward Elderly Being Reported The News-Record of Greensboro, NC is reporting on local acts of kindness shown to the elderly. Several people have written in thanking good Samaritans for helping their aging parents in trouble. Those of us with elderly parents know all too well disaster can happen fast, just as it can with......
• Gambling Addiction: How Big Is This Problem for Seniors? Image via Wikipedia Gambling addiction is becoming a big problem as more and more seniors are gambling. How are seniors getting caught up in this? When does the addiction begin? Can senior gamblers get help if they think they are beginning to lose control? Seniors often find themselves in......
• Aging in Place Remodeling Catches On Aging in place remodeling is catching on. Thanks to new and simple renovations such as replacing door handles with easy-to-use levers, elderly people will be able to stay in their homes longer. Other improvements are putting in 17-inch-high toilets that used to be called senior toilets. Making aging in place......

• Benefits of Hybrid Diesel Cars Now that gasoline prices are soaring, many more people are beginning to opt for hybrid diesel cars and ordinary diesel powered cars as well. If you are one of the types of drivers that has appreciation for a diesel engine in place of a regular, ordinary gasoline engine, then one......
• Car repairs vs. car payments I mentioned previously that my husband's car needs some repairs and some maintenance -- probably around $2000 worth in total, although he will be pricing them at various places, so that number may go down. What's surprised me are the reactions of the people's he's told about the work his......
• Benefits of Hybrid Diesel Cars Now that gasoline prices are soaring, many more people are beginning to opt for hybrid diesel cars and ordinary diesel powered cars as well. If you are one of the types of drivers that has appreciation for a diesel engine in place of a regular, ordinary gasoline engine, then one......
• How Interdependent Is Each Car Company On Another? You may or may not know that various car companies sometimes share knowledge, parts, and people to save money.  For instance, Lotus uses Toyota engines, Hyundai's Genesis Coupe has turbo motor shared with Mitsubishi, Nissan licenses hybrid technology from Toyota and is rumored to be working on a truck......
• Why personal finance is like driving a car I drive about 2 1/2 hours a day every weekday. As long as the traffic isn't too bad, I really don't mind it too much. The longest portion of driving is to and from work. My ride in is a time to wake up, begin getting my thoughts together......