Oh Dear, time to stay clear of the road I think.

[Firehorse]

They're developing a car for blind people to drive with. No matter how many sensors it has i'd rather think this isn't such a good idea since we have faster responses to the things we see because we can make out what it is quicker. Blind people may have heightened senses but that doesn't let them know if they've driven onto a low footpath, and GPS isn't perfect at telling you where the next turn is in many places, especially with tall buildings around.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/us_and_canada/10497032.stm



Moved by danzooo (Forum Moderator) from "Technology Discussion".

[Petite$]

That's... not a good idea at all. I know they're obviously trying to help blind people be more normal but this would be risking everyone's lives.

[HotelUser]

Eventually technology is going to take transportation into a new level where human navigation is going to play a small role.

When this happens I won't have a problem with the blind driving.

[Mathew]

I'm all for equality and making sure minorities are well catered for, but I do think this is a pretty moronic (is that a word?) idea...

[Trinity]

Eventually technology is going to take transportation into a new level where human navigation is going to play a small role.

When this happens I won't have a problem with the blind driving.

This this this. Although when this does happen, I will have a problem with the people who think they can fix/improve their own cars despite their lack of training. I'm pretty sure this idea was mentioned on Top Gear once, they explained it a lot better than I can.


I'm all for equality and making sure minorities are well catered for, but I do think this is a pretty moronic (is that a word?) idea...

Yeah, it's a word :)

I don't think there's that much reason to worry tbh, they're not going to release a car for the blind unless they're extremely certain that it is safe to be on the road, and I'm guessing the drivers will have to go through plenty of training too. Also, I really can't see (ha, unintentional pun) this taking off, at best there's probably only going to be a handful of these cars driving around. I see it as more of a display of advances in technology than an actual new type of vehicle.

[GommeInc]

Driving isn't black and white, it wouldn't work. The sensors wouldn't understand certain situations like meeting an ambulance on a roundabout and sometimes you HAVE to get out the way. I can't see it working, and it would be cheaper and/or just to take the blind people out and about via a carer or family member or friend :/


Eventually technology is going to take transportation into a new level where human navigation is going to play a small role.

When this happens I won't have a problem with the blind driving.
Apparently they've designed a few cars that work like road trains - follow routes and understand where each other is going and will follow the car with relevance to destination. No steering wheel at all! Also, Heathrow airport have driverless cars that follow tracks, so that's a step ahead :P

[Firehorse]

Heathrow airport have driverless cars that follow tracks, so that's a step ahead :P

Yeh but those are more like pods, basically just a train mixed with a lift and you get a pod on a track.

[GommeInc]

Meh, most cars are looking more and more like pods every year :P

[Recursion]

Minority Report anyone? XD

[Colossus]

Sounds amazing but I really don't think it's a good idea. Could be really risky too.

Makes me think that in the future they'll be cars that are designed to automatically take you anywhere you tell it to!