Autoblog

Audi developing powertrain sound of the future for R8 e-tron

John Neff — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, Audi, Electric

Audi knows sound, and it wants its upcoming plug-in cars to have as distinctive a grumble as possible, just like its fossil-fuel-burning brethren. That's why Audi engineers are working on "new sound signatures" for future e-tron models. You can tell how seriously Audi is taking this by the way it references the sounds a car makes to music and "emotional sound structures" in the press release below.

The stated reason for all this e-sound work is so pedestrians will be able to hear the near-silent EVs, but you could just use any old beep to meet that requirement. Audi wants something a bit more refined, to stand out from the space-y blips that the Nissan Leaf puts out or the Volkswagen E-Golf's baby Wookiee growl.

Scroll down to see a video of the Audi e-sound in progress. In its current form, the sound changes based on what the e-tron is doing. It comes out of a speaker blasting up to 40 watts that is attached to the bottom of the car.

Of course, the question from some blind-advocacy groups is whether having each EV make its own sound is reasonable, or if there should be one "EV sound" that all battery-powered cars are required to emit to tell those with limited sight "a car is nearby." In the U.S., the laws governing EV sounds are not yet set, but some sort of low-speed warning requirement seems to be coming.

Continue reading Audi developing powertrain sound of the future for R8 e-tron

Audi developing powertrain sound of the future for R8 e-tron originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford teaches blind people how to drive stick

Zach Bowman — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Ford

Ford recently invited 30 visually-impaired individuals to its Merkenic Development Center test track in Cologne, Germany to put them behind the wheel for a few high-speed exercises. The program was designed to give the disabled individuals a better understanding of how vehicles behave in traffic and how they react to driver input at speed.

According to Ford, since the blind rely on sound to gauge how fast a vehicle is approaching, they may not always calculate accurately. Ford allowed the individuals to build up speed with the help of a driving instructor, and the company says that the fastest driver of the day ratcheted the vehicle all the way to 74 miles per hour.

The blind weren't just behind the wheel of vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, either. In many cases, participants had never driven a manual transmission before, but the instructors said that they took to the mechanics quicker than most licensed drivers. Being forced to listen to the engine and feel the vehicle under you likely goes a long way toward improving your third-pedal learning curve.

This isn't Ford's first foray into helping blind people live their dream of driving. In 2009, the automaker put Roger Keeney who has been blind since 1990, behind he wheel of a brand new 2010 Mustang convertible, which he then proceeded to have quite a bit of fun with... as you can see in the included image gallery.

Ford says that with the advent of radar-based driving aids, it could be possible to help the visually-impaired drive on their own in the near future. Head over to The Ford Story for the full tale.

Ford teaches blind people how to drive stick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz takes a look at blind auto mechanic Bart Hickey

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Mercedes-Benz

Blind auto mechanic Bart Hickey - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The world is full of enigmas. How else would you explain a composer like Ludwig van Beethoven, who continued to compose and perform even after he went deaf? Chances are you've heard of Beethoven, but you probably haven't heard of Bart Hickey.

Bart, tragically, is blind. Which sadly enough means he can't do a wide variety of things we all take for granted. Like driving, for example. But he probably knows his way around a car better than most. That's because Bart is a mechanic, and runs his own garage in Alsip, Illinois. Not the service department of a Mercedes-Benz dealership, but that didn't deter the German automaker from sending a film crew down to the Chicago suburb for a brief video profile, which you can watch after the jump. Then wonder out loud why, if Bart can do all he does, most of the rest of the population doesn't know to change their own spark plugs.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz takes a look at blind auto mechanic Bart Hickey

Mercedes-Benz takes a look at blind auto mechanic Bart Hickey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blind man tackles the road course at Daytona on his own

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Technology, Ford

Mark Riccobono's blind lap of Daytona - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another year, another Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona champion. Something interesting happened before the prototypes took to the track, though, when a Ford Escape Hybrid took on the 1.5-mile road course. The driver, Mark Anthony Riccobono, didn't break any speed records... but he did successfully maneuver the Escape without the help of a very crucial driving aid - vision.

Riccobono is blind, and with the help of non-visual technology, he completed the Daytona road course. Beyond simply making lefts and rights, Riccobono also had to avoid a variety of obstacles. Some were stationary while others were thrown randomly from the back of a van. Riccobono avoided them all, and then he passed the van before crossing the finish line.

The event marks the first time a blind person has driven a vehicle around a course without the aid of a sighted person. It was a major milestone for the Blind Driver Challenge, which aims to improve blind-interface technology. Check out the press release after the break.

Gallery: Mark Anthony Riccobono's blind lap of Daytona

[Source: National Federation of the Blind | Images: Terry Renna and John Raoux/AP]

Continue reading Blind man tackles the road course at Daytona on his own

Blind man tackles the road course at Daytona on his own originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Blind man fails attempt to set 200 mph speed record [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., UK, MISC

Anyone who has ever perused the Guinness Book of World Records knows that there is an entry for just about anything imaginable and plenty more things you just haven't yet wrapped your head around. There is apparently even a land speed record for bank managers. Well, blind bank managers, anyway. Mike Newman failed yesterday to become the first blind person to crest the 200 miles-per-hour barrier when his (unnamed) Nissan failed to accelerate beyond 174 mph. Newman's failed attempt on the UK's Pendine Sands came after his original steed, a 260mph Keating TKR was somehow damaged prior to the race. The Daily Mail reports that there were "hundreds" of spectators on hand to root on Newman in his quest to hit 200 mph.

Blind driving sounds pretty unhinged to us, but this competition isn't anything new. Newman himself was at one time the unsighted speed champ, as the man from Manchester hit 182 mph in a BMW M5. Blind Turkish pop singer Metin Senturk later broke the record by taking a Ferrari F430 to 183mph. In this case, Newman made his attempt on a four-mile stretch of hard-packed beach at Pendine Sands with only a radio link from his father in a helicopter overhead to guide him.

Sighted or not, reaching speeds of 174 mph is an experience most will never get to experience. But if you ask us, that's not even Newman's most impressive feat by a long shot. The bank manager currently holds the record for the fastest motorcycle time by a blind person for hitting 89mph on a 1,000cc Aprilia Falco. Now that's either gutsy or completely crazy - probably a mixture of both, and that's something we can get behind.

Newman has vowed to fix the Keating for a second attempt which could come later this month. In the meantime, you can learn more about Mike and his remarkable quest by checking out the video after the jump, or by checking out his Speed of Sight website, which includes details on how he raises money for Vision and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

[Sources: Daily Mail; Speed of Sight; YouTube]

Continue reading Report: Blind man fails attempt to set 200 mph speed record [w/video]

Report: Blind man fails attempt to set 200 mph speed record [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Volvo gives sneak preview of new S60 sedan... to a blind artist

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Volvo

Click above to watch the video after the jump

With debuts for new vehicles scheduled months in advance, automakers like to keep us on our proverbial toes with sneak previews. Sometimes they give them to us, and we in turn pass them on to you. Sometimes they give previews to its top customers, who are sworn to secrecy. But whoever they want to show the car to in advance, those people need to, you know...actually see the car.

Volvo, on the other hand, has decided to do things a little differently. The Swedish automaker invited an artist by the name of Eşref Armağan to see the upcoming new S60 sedan, scheduled for its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March. The catch? Armağan is blind, and has been since birth.

In order to captivate our imaginations, Volvo's released a series of blurry videos chronicling Armağan's encounter with the S60, the first of which you can view after the jump with more available on Volvo's Facebook page. As far as social media campaigns go, they're worth a watch. And if you squint, you can almost make out what the sedan might look like.

[Source: Volvo via YouTube and Facebook]

Continue reading VIDEO: Volvo gives sneak preview of new S60 sedan... to a blind artist

VIDEO: Volvo gives sneak preview of new S60 sedan... to a blind artist originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vibering concept protects blind from those silent killers called hybrids

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Hybrid, Green, Safety, Humor

Click above for more pictures of the Vibering concept

Cars can be dangerous objects, there's no doubt about it. While the most obvious danger is definitely an accident while driving, there are other ways your car could kill you. Exhaust from gasoline vehicles is very dangerous, and diesel soot can get lodged on your brain, so we advise against its inhalation whenever possible. But don't let those environmentally friendly hybrids and electric cars fool you... they can be silent killers, too. There have been many ideas thrown around in an effort to make hybrid vehicles safer for blind people who may have a hard time hearing the stealthy vehicles approach. Some of these ideas are better than others. Take, for instance, the Vibering concept, which is able to sense approaching doom by listening for key sounds made by a car like the Prius or other hybrid model. When worn in conjunction with its companion watch, the Vibering listens and alerts its wearer whenever a vehicle may be coming and how far it is from making impending contact. We're not sure what technology it's using to "listen" for identifying sounds, but the idea is solid. Imagine a government mandate that required all hybrids to emit an inaudible sound that could be detected by seeing eye dogs or a device worn on the wrist.

Gallery: Vibering Concept

[Source: Yanko Design via Jalopnik]

Vibering concept protects blind from those silent killers called hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prius targeted: Maryland lawmakers want "minimum" vehicle sound levels

Michael Harley — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, Safety, Toyota

Click above for a high-resolution gallery of the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring.

While the Toyota Prius and other hybrids may be the next best thing to riding a Vespa for the environment, one group has been concerned about their lack of noise they produce. Members of the National Federation of the Blind are voicing their concerns to a Maryland legislative committee today regarding the safety of hybrid vehicles while running in all-electric mode. It's been reported over the last couple of years that individuals who rely on sound to safely interpret and navigate their surroundings are at risk when navigating congested urban environments populated by hybrids. The legislative task force will study the effects of a vehicle's noise levels on pedestrian safety and make a recommendation by the end of the year. If this initiative gets traction, we don't think a Prius will start singing like the Ferrari F430 anytime soon... but maybe they could give it a nice growl like the Audi R8?

Gallery: Review: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring

[Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd)]

Prius targeted: Maryland lawmakers want "minimum" vehicle sound levels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not again: Blind man caught going 100 mph in Barcelona

John Neff — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

A blind man was recently caught by a speed camera doing 98 mph on public roads in Spain. The man had lost his sight in a car accident in 1996, and, as he explained to the court, wanted to drive just one more time. So, just like the last time we heard about a sightless driver, the man had his wife sit shotgun and dole out verbal directions on which way to turn the wheel.

In this case, however, the courts tried to strip the man of his disability benefits, citing the fact that he successfully drove the car as proof his accident didn't leave him blind. In the end, however, a Barcelona court believed the man truly had an earnest desire to hop behind the wheel one more time and threw out the case.

Frankly, we're surprised at how many times people who have lost their sight felt it's a good idea to get behind the wheel. We can understand wanting nothing more than to feel the power and control that driving offers, especially when a disability does so much to remove those feelings from your daily routine. Nevertheless, there are other innocent people on the road, and sight is one of those gotta have senses when it comes to driving. Smell and taste on the other hand...

[Source: Piston Heads]

Not again: Blind man caught going 100 mph in Barcelona originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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