[Missouri-l] Fwd: Blind Drivers

[KCAgape at aol.com]

Hi Peter and Dr. Hong:
 
That is another issue I have about blind people driving.  Also, if I  
understand the technology correctly, it uses a laser to guide the blind  driver.  
What I wonder now, and perhaps I am washed-up about the  technology, but a 
laser beam travels in a straight line, and driving requires a  panoramic 
(i.e., full) view of one's surroundings.  The laser may very well  indicate a 
hazard in front of the driver, but what about a driver in another  vehicle 
attempting to pass?  The laser will be focused on the potential  hazard 
directly ahead, it seems, and appears unable to account for all the other  things 
that would come into the blind driver's space.  Will a voice tell  the blind 
driver an object is X number of feet ahead of him/her, but what about  the 
other driver's of other vehicles, for example?  Will another voice tell  the 
blind driver there is another driver along side, and, if so, what about  
other drivers?  Then, what about other objects such as a child or animal  
darting out on the street?  Will the technology allow for multiple  situations?  
 
As I wrote before, the technology appears sound if the blind driver were in 
 a controlled environment, but driving is so inexact and hardly  
predictable.  Here is an analogy: Say you are at a party in a room where  there are 
several people having different conversations.  You give most of  your 
attention to one person, and talk with him/her, but you also have to listen  to 
others speaking because what they say will affect how you respond  to the 
overall situation.  Are you truly able to give the other  speakers the identical 
attention each speaker truly needs, or are speakers whom  you hear, but to 
not pay as much close attention to as you give the primary  person you are 
listening to?  It is nearly if not impossible.  A  special vehicle for a blind 
driver is a wonderful concept, and the opportunity  for getting the freedom 
that comes with driving would give us a tremendous  amount of independence. 
 
 
You also need to be realistic and practical.  I would love to see this  
concept work not only in an environment in that everything is safe and  
predictable, but in other situations such as the freak thunderstorm, another  
driver ahead has a flat tire and puts on his/her breaks without  warning, a 
driver in another lane driving under the influence, and crossing  right in front 
of you, a kid chasing a ball who is in your path.  These  ideas are not so 
far-fetched.  These are a few situations those who see  have to contend with 
every time they get into their cars.
 
I believe Peter's comments echo my feelings, too.
 
Scott         
 
 
In a message dated 4/12/2010 10:10:16 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
paltschul at centurytel.net writes:


Hi: 
I am intrigued by  the research being done here; I do think it’s worth 
remembering, though,  that there is a reason why blind people cannot be pilots 
even with all the  great gadgets involved.  And the reason is that gadges 
have a way of  breaking at inopportune moments. 
Best, Peter   

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