News Archive
Google Self Driving Car For Blind
April 4, 2012
Google has proceeded with tests on its self-driving cars by giving blind motorists the opportunity to get behind the wheel – meaning that car insurance for blind drivers could be only a few years away.
Google announced this ambitious project late in 2010 and received a patent on the system last December. Their automated driving technology uses radar sensors, video cameras and laser guidance to navigate.
Following this, tests were carried out by the Head of Santa Clara Valley Blind Centre, Steve Mahan, who is 95% blind.
Tests were also carried out by Eric Bridges, Government Affairs Director for the American Council of the Blind. Commenting on his experience he stated:
"We had it out on the Interstate and allowed it to take over. It was pretty amazing, going in between lanes, making sure there was enough distance between us and the car next to us in another lane."
Speaking for Google an official Google+ post stated:
"There's much left to design and test, but we've now safely completed more than 200,000 miles of computer-led driving, gathering great experiences and an overwhelming number of enthusiastic supporters."
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2121904/Googles-new-self-driving-car-allow-BLIND-wheel.html