Ford has created a prototype smart video that uses vibrations and artificial intelligence to help visually impaired people feel a landscape by touching the window.
Called Feel The View, the technology uses a camera and vibration motor mounted on to the window, which captures pictures and then turns them into greyscale images before reproducing them on to the glass.
The different tones of grey are then represented by different intensities of vibration as a user runs their finger over the window, allowing visually impaired users to get a feel for the landscape around them.
The vibration engine has a range of 255 different intensities, which Ford says ensures it is able to successfully capture the different aspects of any landscape.
The technology is being developed by Ford’s team in Italy, alongside Italian start-up Aedo, which specialises in devices for those with sight problems.
Marco Alu Saffi, from Ford Italy, said: “We seek to make people’s lives better and this was a fantastic opportunity to help blind passengers experience a great aspect of driving.
“The technology is advanced, but the concept is simple – and could turn mundane journeys into truly memorable ones.”
As well as the touch aspect of the system, a voice assistant linked to the car’s audio settings and powered by AI can also offer audio descriptions of the view to help the user build an image.
