Virgina Tech Modding Ford SUV for Blind Drivers

[omikron48]

With use of their system, is a blind driver capable of driving as high speeds with decent enough response time to external elements? I mean, would a blind driver have time enough to properly dodge another vehicle about to hit it dead on with both vehicles traveling at a high speed?

What about instances of near collision where drivers avoid almost hitting each other? (even in slow speeds, think of tight roads) How do you tell the blind driver that the opposing vehicle is about to dodge left, so you can avoid dodging to the same direction and end up crashing into each other.

 

[flamethrower205]

Eek, what about all of those times the sensors failed in the Darpa challenge? This still sounds like much of the decision making falls on imperfect computer algorithms that vibrate the vest.
Secondly, a lot of driving has to do with anticipation and knowing your surroundings, that's one of the major differences between someone just starting to drive and someone with years of experience - can the vest provide that?
This seems like a dangerous idea. Why not use some light sensors and the vest to help blind people walk around more easily. There's a much larger error margin there.

 

[Silmarunya]

[citation][nom]festerovic[/nom]kudos for developing the tech, but some handicaps do provide a limitation that just can't be overcome. I really don't want to be on the road with blind people.[/citation]

And I really don't want to be on the road with old people that could lose awareness at any time. And I wouldn't want to be on the road with people texting behind the wheel. And I wouldn't want to on the road with people driving a sports car and want to find out how fast it can go. Yet I encounter them daily.

When technology enables people to overcome their handicaps, we should be glad. Blind drivers aren't anymore dangerous than many other types of drivers that are allowed to drive freely.

 

[WyomingKnott]

A new meaning for "Blind Driveway" signs.

 

[zak_mckraken]

You have to be blind to buy a Ford anyway!

 

[Camikazi]

[citation][nom]Silmarunya[/nom]And I really don't want to be on the road with old people that could lose awareness at any time. And I wouldn't want to be on the road with people texting behind the wheel. And I wouldn't want to on the road with people driving a sports car and want to find out how fast it can go. Yet I encounter them daily.When technology enables people to overcome their handicaps, we should be glad. Blind drivers aren't anymore dangerous than many other types of drivers that are allowed to drive freely.[/citation]
Blind people may not be more dangerous then anyone else but do we REALLY need MORE dangerous drivers on the road? It's dangerous as it is adding more just makes it worse.

 

[nebun]

o mother of god, wtf are these people thinking, this is the last thing we need on the road, especially with all the electric interference going on these days. i could just immagine a claim conversation would go something like this:

insurance agent "so what happened?"
customer "i was hit by a blind driver"
insurance agent "was he driving?"
customer "no"
insurance agent "well sir, then your are not covered since the person was blind, therefore it's an act of GOD for him being born that way"

hope i did not offend anyone here, then again...who cares

 

[kingnoobe]

A lot of you are way over thinking this. "People can't drive how it is". While I agree with that. Blind drivers would probably be 10x better then average driver. As they would actually have to be paying attention, and concentrating more.

I hope this does work, and I hope they become able to drive on the roads. I'd rather have them driving something like this *if it works* then a women behind the wheel *I kid.. well sord of*

 

[Guest]

absurd