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Following the inception of the project in 2006, the team designed a unique tactile and audio
feedback system capable of relaying speed and directional information to a blind driver. Last year,
this system was tested with human subjects using a computer simulation to analyze their
effectiveness under user control in a real-time environment.
More information regarding the history of the Blind Driver Challenge may be found in the
IEEE Springer-Verlag LNEE Journal in a chapter entitled "Development of a Semi-Autonomous
Vehicle Operable by the Visually Impaired." Using the results and feedback acquired during the tests,
a major focus of the team's efforts this year will be devoted to the design and testing of new driver
interface systems intended to improve their precision and effectiveness.
During this academic year, the results and feedback acquired during testing are being used to
direct the current efforts to design and test several new driver interface systems. These systems are
intended to provide relevant information to the driver in an increasingly precise and effective
manner. Although computer simulation is extremely useful, there are many factors that cannot be
recreated without testing in a real-world dynamic environment. For this reason, the improved
systems are being designed with intentions of deployment directly on a vehicle platform, which will
be outfitted with a sensor array to gather information regarding the surrounding environment. This
will allow for effective testing, data collection, and analysis in order to ensure that the vehicle will be
ready for reliable public demonstration by the end of this semester.
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