The Japanese take this idea a step farther with their practice of Kinsei engineering, a philosophy that translates customers' feelings into design elements. In one application, the designers of the Mazda Miata focused on young drivers who saw the car as an extension of their body, a sensation they call "horse and rider as one.” After extensive research they discovered that making the stick shift exactly 9.5 centimeters long conveys the optimal feeling of sportiness and control.