The world's first car for the blind was created. An invisible driver in the same way presses the pedal and turns the steering wheel

For the first time in the history of automotive, a car was created for blind drivers. With the help of special sensors, a blind person can control a machine without outside help no worse than an ordinary person, proved at the Virzhinsky Polytechnic University. It is reported by techradar.com .

Work on the machine began 5 years ago. The model is designed in the laboratory of robotics and mechanical devices of Virginia Tech and is an off-road 4-wheel buggy. The first tests of the car have already successfully passed at a closed landfill in the Virginia Tech campus.

A blind driver, as well as a sighted one, turns the steering wheel, presses the pedal of the brake and gas. He just receives information in the form of voice and sound commands and with the help of vibration.

The car is equipped with laser sensors. All information about the situation on the road is transmitted to the driver using special interfaces. For example, a blind driver can learn about the speed of movement using a special vest that changes the frequency of vibrations. A tactile map created by streams of compressed air will tell about the obstacle on the road. Using voice commands, the on -board computer informs the driver in which direction you need to go.

When rotating the steering wheel, a special mechanism emits sound signals that notify the wheel to which angle.

In the future, scientists also plan to use new technologies for use on electric cars.

The most difficult, according to representatives of the National Federation of the Blind, will change the laws and public opinion prohibiting blind people to drive a car. So, in many countries of the world, by law, blind people do not have the right to drive a car.

But first, Virginia Tech specialists need to modify the model, in particular, it is necessary to eliminate the vibrations caused by the operation of the engine, which interfere with the operation of laser sensors. And only after that, the appearance of a serial prototype is possible.