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I was browsing wired magazine's website when this article made me go bug-eyed: Click Here for Article

Of course, it's only in the prototype phase now, with a single buggy, but it's a start.

The skeptic in me had sarcastically nodding his head, but as I read through it became clear that with the right combination of technologies, beacons, and triggers, this system could work amazingly well and give the blind a new level of independence and mobility. What's most impressive is the team that put this together on such a limited budget.

The Blind Driver Challenge team at Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory built the buggy. The steering wheel is hooked up to a distance monitor that gathers information from laser range finders, and it uses voice software to tells the driver how far to turn the wheel. For example, the monitor will tell the driver “turn left three clicks.” As the driver does that, the monitor makes three clicking noises.

But that's not all

A vibrating vest provides cues to follow when accelerating and decelerating. The vest vibrates in different places — the back, the belly and the shoulders — to convey different commands. When the entire vest vibrates, it means, “Slam on the brakes!”

and lastly, 360 degree braille perimeter mapping for perceiving objects.

Hong wants to continue working on a tactile map interface. The system, called Airpix, shoots compressed air through tiny holes on a screen in real time, to provide a layout of the area surrounding the vehicle. Drivers can “read” the map with a hand, much like Braille. Hong said he needs more feedback from the blind and visually impaired to refine the system.

It's not like we're going to see this kinda thing on our streets any time soon, but I can see this kind of technology being implemented as a trial balloon. I think it'd work best if the driver were to have a partner along to help them visually at first. But who knows where this could take the blind?

Thoughts?

BABY DON'T HURT ME
DON'T HURT ME
NO MORE

Lilly is too cool for her signal vest and tactile map interface

Women can't drive.

Caesius wrote:Women can't drive.

And today's award for Best Non-sequitur goes to...

Interesting, but if the sensors are that sophisticated I don't see why they don't just put in a control computer and make the car automated.

Because driving in real traffic is not the same as tests on closed circuits.

Caesius wrote:Women can't drive.

So by extenstion Lilly can't drive any worse than any other woman?

I still dont think with all this high tech stuff it would be safe for both the blind driver and other motorists to drive on the same road, much less our precious Lilly. My job just reinforces the fact that the more complicated and more moving parts means it is more likely to break down, often at a critical time. Despite how awesome this stuff sounds, it just seems too unreliable and complex. Besides, isn't Lilly kinda rich? Couldn't she just have a driver pick you and her up?

DuaneMoody wrote:

That's Hisao in the middle, right?
Or some straggler?

I think this is great research, As I understand it, most forms of blindness can actually be cured, though. The science fiction nerd in me just wants to see optical implants, that's all. That's just cool, even to sighted people. We should be doing that in the long term.

whiteflags wrote:That's Hisao in the middle, right?
Or some straggler?

dude.

thats the motherfucking Daredevil

whiteflags wrote: That's Hisao in the middle, right?
Or some straggler?

How can you NOT know the Daredevil

i didnt recognize him either. its black & white, and hes wearing a suit.

Caesius wrote:Women can't drive.

Women can drive just fine, they just can't park. I don't even want to imagine where Lilly would end up parking.

"But blind people who drive the vehicle always have a big smile on their face afterwards."

i 'awwwwed. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME, KS? WHERE IS MY COLD UNCARING HEART?