New technology for the blind

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - For advocates of the blind, it's akin to reaching the unreachable goal of landing a man on the moon: developing a vehicle that a blind person could drive.

The National Federation of the Blind and Virginia Tech plan to demonstrate a prototype vehicle next year equipped with technology that helps a blind person drive a car independently.

The technology, called nonvisual interfaces, uses sensors to let a blind driver maneuver a car based on information transmitted to him about his surroundings: whether another car or object is nearby, in front of him or in a neighboring lane.

The results of the research will be demonstrated next January on a modified Ford Escape sport utility vehicle at the Daytona International Speedway.