Ford_News
07-11-2010, 11:37 AM
Filed under: Concept Cars (http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/), Budget (http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/), SUV (http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Videos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/), Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/blind-driver-challenge-630.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#continued)
Virginia Tech takes on the Blind Driver Challenge - Click above to watch video after the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#continued)
Researchers at Virginia Tech are teaming with the National Federation of the Blind to build two Ford Escape (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FordEscape/) test vehicles designed specifically for visually-impaired drivers. After building a small buggy last year equipped with an audio steering wheel and various other "non-visual interfaces," the team decided to take a stab at going full-size. Drivers will use a vibrating vest and gloves, as well as a tablet-type device that shoots puffs of compressed air to represent the road course.
If you're skeptical about allowing the blind to drive (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/12/blind-belgian-breaks-speed-record-in-borrowed-lamborghini/), you're not alone. Researchers say the end goal of the project isn't to start a blind-driving movement, but to explore and further develop blind-interface technology. The work could lead to innovations that could in turn be applied to other aspects of visually-impaired life.
\Virginia Tech's Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/category/Ford/) Escape test vehicles will head to the Daytona (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/superformance-shelby-cobra-daytona-coupe-quick-spin/) International Speedway next January, where they're scheduled to put on a full demonstration. Hit the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#continued) to see a quick video on the Blind Driver Challenge.
[Source: Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/04/prototype-car-with-tactile-feedback-challenges-the-blind-to-driv/)]Continue reading Prototype cart with feedback controls lets the blind drive [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/)
Prototype cart with feedback controls lets the blind drive [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19542066/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#comments)
More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/blind-driver-challenge-630.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#continued)
Virginia Tech takes on the Blind Driver Challenge - Click above to watch video after the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#continued)
Researchers at Virginia Tech are teaming with the National Federation of the Blind to build two Ford Escape (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FordEscape/) test vehicles designed specifically for visually-impaired drivers. After building a small buggy last year equipped with an audio steering wheel and various other "non-visual interfaces," the team decided to take a stab at going full-size. Drivers will use a vibrating vest and gloves, as well as a tablet-type device that shoots puffs of compressed air to represent the road course.
If you're skeptical about allowing the blind to drive (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/12/blind-belgian-breaks-speed-record-in-borrowed-lamborghini/), you're not alone. Researchers say the end goal of the project isn't to start a blind-driving movement, but to explore and further develop blind-interface technology. The work could lead to innovations that could in turn be applied to other aspects of visually-impaired life.
\Virginia Tech's Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/category/Ford/) Escape test vehicles will head to the Daytona (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/superformance-shelby-cobra-daytona-coupe-quick-spin/) International Speedway next January, where they're scheduled to put on a full demonstration. Hit the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#continued) to see a quick video on the Blind Driver Challenge.
[Source: Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/04/prototype-car-with-tactile-feedback-challenges-the-blind-to-driv/)]Continue reading Prototype cart with feedback controls lets the blind drive [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/)
Prototype cart with feedback controls lets the blind drive [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19542066/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/#comments)
More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/11/prototype-cart-with-feedback-controls-lets-the-blind-drive-w-vi/)