This paper presents the development of a system that will allow a visually-impaired person to safely operate a motor vehicle. Named the Blind Driver Challenge, the purpose of the project is to improve the independence of the visually-impaired by allowing them to travel at their convenience under their own direction. The system is targeted to be deployed on Team Victor Tango's DARPA Urban Challenge vehicle, 'Odin.' DARPA stands for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The system uses tactile and audio interfaces to relay information to the driver about vehicle heading and speed. The driver then corrects his steering and speed using a joystick. The tactile interface is a modified massage chair, which directs the driver to accelerate or brake. The audio interface is a pair of headphones, which direct the driver where to turn. Testing software has been developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the system by tracking the users' ability to follow signals generated by the Blind Driver Challenge code. The system will then be improved based on test results and user feedback. Eventually, through a partnership with the National Federation of the Blind, a refined user interface and feedback system will be implemented on a small-scale vehicle platform and tested by visually impaired drivers.
Development of a Semi-Autonomous Vehicle Operable by the Visually Impaired
2009
13 Seiten
Conference paper
English
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