In my new book in a chapter on interfaces I describe how the auto industry is years ahead of the software industry in non-keyboard, mouse driven user interfaces. Some of the haptic, audio and other interfaces have been adapted to a car for the blind.
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, College of Engineering (Virginia Tech) have announced the first street vehicle equipped with technology allowing a blind person to drive independently. The vehicle is scheduled to be demonstrated to the public as part of the pre-race activities at the 2011 Rolex 24 At Daytona. The Ford Escape, will be driven by a blind individual at the famed Daytona International Speedway course on January 29, 2011.
This article and the video describes some of the technology that has been utilized in prototypes
“Vest worn by the driver vibrates on one side when the driver needs to slow down and shakes entirely when the driver needs to come to a complete stop.
The laser range finder, which is connected to the steering wheel, uses a laser beam to determine the car's distance from the edge of the road and other objects. As the driver accelerates the car, a voice tells him how far to turn the wheel by indicating the number of "clicks" he must make. One click corresponds to about five degrees. “
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