The National Federation for the Blind (NFB), Virginia Tech, and Grand-Am have teamed up to create a modified Ford Escape that can be driven by a blind individual. The prototype is scheduled to be unveiled at the Daytona International Speedway course on Jan. 29, 2011.
The idea for this project began three years ago with the NFB’s Blind Driver Challenge (BDC) that aimed to stimulate the development of nonvisual interface technology that would allow the blind to drive. Undergraduate students at Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering—under the direction of Professor Dennis Hong—accepted the challenge and began actively working with the NFB to create a car for the blind.
“The challenge was not the development of an autonomous vehicle that could drive a blind person around, but rather the creation of nonvisual interfaces that would allow a blind person to actually make driving decisions,” explained Hong in a press release.
The first-generation prototype was demonstrated with a modified four-wheel dune buggy at the NFB Youth Slam in the summer of 2009. Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechnisms Laboratory retrofitted the buggy with laser range finders, an instant voice command interface, and other nonvisual technology designed to guide blind drivers behind the wheel.
The Virginia Tech BDC team worked closely with blind students as they test drove their dune buggy using the first generation of the nonvisual interface.
Hong and his students are currently working with the NFB and Grand Am on the second-generation prototype vehicle. This project will integrate new and improved versions of the first-generation technologies into a Ford Escape to be unveiled next year in Daytona.
“This demonstration will break down the wall of stereotypes and misconceptions that prevent our full integration into society by showing the public that the blind have the same capacities as everyone else. Our only challenge is access to the information we need,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the NFB in a statement.
The idea for this project began three years ago with the NFB’s Blind Driver Challenge (BDC) that aimed to stimulate the development of nonvisual interface technology that would allow the blind to drive. Undergraduate students at Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering—under the direction of Professor Dennis Hong—accepted the challenge and began actively working with the NFB to create a car for the blind.
“The challenge was not the development of an autonomous vehicle that could drive a blind person around, but rather the creation of nonvisual interfaces that would allow a blind person to actually make driving decisions,” explained Hong in a press release.
The first-generation prototype was demonstrated with a modified four-wheel dune buggy at the NFB Youth Slam in the summer of 2009. Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechnisms Laboratory retrofitted the buggy with laser range finders, an instant voice command interface, and other nonvisual technology designed to guide blind drivers behind the wheel.
The Virginia Tech BDC team worked closely with blind students as they test drove their dune buggy using the first generation of the nonvisual interface.
Hong and his students are currently working with the NFB and Grand Am on the second-generation prototype vehicle. This project will integrate new and improved versions of the first-generation technologies into a Ford Escape to be unveiled next year in Daytona.
“This demonstration will break down the wall of stereotypes and misconceptions that prevent our full integration into society by showing the public that the blind have the same capacities as everyone else. Our only challenge is access to the information we need,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the NFB in a statement.
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