The vast majority of drivers are in the wrong-colored car for their personality. That is the finding of a pan-European study by Nissan, which revealed a staggering 86 percent of those polled made an incorrect choice in the showroom.
The research found that even though there are now more vibrant exterior colors and personalization options than ever before, car buyers are still too conservative when it comes to picking paint.
The study was carried out by Nissan to celebrate the personalization options on the new Micra hatchback. It found approximately a third of those surveyed should have opted for more striking shades like orange instead of traditional grey and black, based on their personality type.
Nissan has developed a Chatbot in conjunction with color psychologist Karen Haller. Delivered via Facebook, it determines the user’s personality and presents the perfect Micra color match for them in just two minutes.
“The all-new Nissan Micra is a car that’s perfect for consumers seeking to express bold color choices. It’s available in 10 bold exterior colors, including the vibrant Energy Orange and Pulse Green. The personalization program allows for contrasting shades to be added to the bumpers, doors, wheels and door mirrors,” Nissan said in a press release.
Nissan said approximately 22 percent of Micra customers are personalizing their car. Affordability has been key to demand, with customers spending on average just €400 ($470) to get the personalized design they want.
Based on the 5,000 responses across Europe, high-energy colors such as orange should top the table. These signify energetic, fun and optimistic traits within someone’s personality. White is associated with simplicity, perfection and being in control, while blue is a calm color loved by people who value integrity.
Karen Haller said: “Social factors come into play with color choice. For example, in times of economic uncertainty, it’s common for people to play it safe and pick a car with a neutral palette — such as black, white or grey. So I’m not surprised that two-thirds of motorists are driving more conservative shades.”
She added: “Often color choices are based around aspirations, and black is often seen as aspirational, associated with high-end technologies and innovative brands. It may be that far from playing it safe, they are choosing what they perceive as the finer things in life.”
86% driving wrong-colored car for their personality, Nissan reveals
86% driving wrong-colored car for their personality, Nissan reveals
Jameel Research project at MIT tackles antimicrobial resistance
Jameel Research, part of Abdul Latif Jameel International network, is sponsoring a research project in the Department of Biological Engineering and Institute for Medical Engineering and Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, aimed at tackling the global public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance.
This ambitious, multi-disciplinary project is led by Professor James J. Collins, Termeer professor of medical engineering and science at MIT and faculty lead for life sciences at the MIT Jameel Clinic, the epicenter of artificial intelligence and health at MIT.
The project, spanning at least three years, will leverage the Collins’ lab’s cutting-edge strengths in synthetic biology and AI to create next-generation diagnostics.
The growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and a declining antibiotic pipeline has led to a global public health crisis. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted some 2 million infections and 23,000 deaths occur each year in the US alone, costing $55 billion. The World Bank predicts that up to $100 trillion of economic output may be at risk by 2050. The UK government-commissioned Review on Antimicrobial Resistance is projecting more than 10 million deaths worldwide per year by 2050 if the crisis is not addressed.
Professor Collins and his team at MIT are setting out to develop the next generation of antibacterials and rapid diagnostics to overcome AMR — using synthetic biology and advanced generative AI to deliver faster results and help control the use of antibiotics to where they can be effective.
With support from Jameel Research, the first phase of this project will develop and validate programmable antibacterials to overcome AMR in a range of bacterial pathogens. These AI-designed minibinders will be delivered by engineered microbes to neutralize key toxins and protein targets.
This directed design and engineering approach to antibiotic development technology advances a long-term vision to create programmable antibacterials to address the AMR crisis. This would then offer the potential for the more rapid development of medical countermeasures to emerging and re-emerging pathogens and a swifter response to future outbreaks and pandemics.
Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, KBE, chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent challenges we face today and addressing it will require ambitious science and sustained collaboration. We are pleased to support this new research, building on our long-standing relationship with MIT and our commitment to advancing research across the world, to strengthen global health and contribute to a more resilient future.”
“This project reflects my belief that tackling AMR requires both bold scientific ideas and a pathway to real-world impact,” Professor Collins said. “Jameel Research is keen to address this crisis by supporting innovative, translatable research at MIT.”
Jameel Research is advancing the work of pioneering pathfinders to create an extraordinary impact on a global scale.
This initial project holds the promise of rapidly developing medical countermeasures for emerging and re-emerging pathogens, offering a rapid response to future outbreaks and pandemics.
The new research project builds on the close and long-standing relationship between MIT and the Jameel family. This includes the MIT Jameel Clinic, which was co-founded in 2018 by MIT and Community Jameel, the international nonprofit organization founded by Mohammed Jameel, KBE, to advance science and learning for communities to thrive, and one of the Jameel family’s philanthropies.
