Car for the Blind

As crazy as this may sound, it is now close to becoming a reality. Because we are blessed with so many other senses other than vision, it is possible to give cues to blind drivers in how to react to specific situations when they are behind the wheel. The car for the blind will do this by using an array of vibrating and voice warnings that are triggered by the reaction of sensors (made up of lasers). The driver will wear a vest and gloves that will vibrate depending on various factors. The steering wheel will also vibrate. The driver will be able to interact with the car via voice commands and touch.

Whilst it may be easy to dismiss the idea as nothing short of insanity, the vehicle itself is the result of a lot of research. Because humans do not specifically rely on a single sense to drive, it is fair to assume that someone who is blind is not at a massive disadvantage in regards to operating a vehicle. Nissan has been developing systems that will force the user to slow down and even apply the brake if a driver is too close to a vehicle in front of them. It is the conglomeration of technology such as this as well as others that has made the feat possible.

Whilst an advanced prototype is still in development a very basic prototype has been developed in the form of a beach buggy. The beach buggy used a wide variety of aids to help a blind person test the vehicle with a great deal of success. The next prototype (much more advanced than the buggy) is to be tested in January, 2011. Instead of a beach buggy, it will be a Ford Escape. A large vehicle that is quite common to give the broadest results possible

Active Safety Systems

Since the inclusion of computers in automobiles to help efficient fuel injection, car manufacturers have constantly refined how they can be used in order to have an impact on other aspects of the car. Car manufacturers have also done all they can in regards to using physical methods in order to make cars safer. That is where mixing safety components with the onboard computer has become something they have turned to in order to help make cars safer. In this regard, active safety systems are saving us from ourselves.

Active safety systems utilize lasers, radar and cameras in order to judge distances between potential hazards and either notify the driver of a potential catastrophe or take evasive action. We have seen mechanical safe guards such as traction control and anti-lock breaking; it is now the onboard computer’s turn to pick up the slack. The onboard computer will be able to take evasive action on behalf of the driver in the event that a collision or excessive speed or slipping is going to lead to something that may injure the occupants. The car can make judgment calls based on a series of algorithms and specific reactionary programming that is pre-coded (and updated) by the onboard computer.

Active safety systems can also record data from the way someone drives and then readjust how the engine is used in order to ensure the engine remains healthy. Active safety systems can also do the job that was delegated as a mechanical function prior to its inception. Things like having the computer retuned as the engine ages can be done automatically using the computer system. It is a fairly broad term that can encompass not only safety aspects of how the car performs but the actual car’s performance in terms of fuel consumption, drivability and comfort.

Wooden car

This guy in Ukraine removed all the exterior metal parts from the car and replaced them with wooden panels which are used for the floor parquet. He modified the car itself too, now it looks like a semi-cabrio - one part of it is without roof and another side is covered with a hard wooden roof.

There is also a video on the subject with extended description from Russia Today video channel: