ABSTRACT
Ferrari S.p.A., manufacturer of racing and GT sports cars, is redesigning a gear changing system for their GT cars, which incorporates Formula 1 technology and experience. This system is meant to give the client a real racing car experience. In 1997, the system was first introduced in the F 355. Since then, all improvement has been in mechanical and software applications. The layout and design of the system is based on “rule of thumb” and “trial and error”. Ferrari believes the only way to drive the car is the way their own test drivers do and therefore all changes are based on their assessments. In contrary, Delft University curriculum teaches its students to generate products that allow users as much freedom as possible in using the product without undermining functionalities, i.e. no particular way of usage is forced upon users (cf. Kanis, 1998).
