2004 Botball Website Team Brenda Duong Syed Hashmi Anh Hoang Omar Nachawati Michael Samson For more information regarding assistive robotics and blind driving, refer to our bibliography page.

Current State of Assistive Robots As we all know, blind people can not drive. They can not see, therefore imposing a hazard to the road and the other drivers around. It is estimated that there are about 1.1 million blind people in the United States alone, and 42 million worldwide. Over the past few years, there have been many technological advances and improvements for the blind. The current state of these technological improvements is the bionic eye. The bionic eye is produced by the Dolbelle Institute. Basically, an artificial retina is implanted. The retina is the part of the eye that changes light into electrons which will transfer to the brain to create an image. A digital video camera mounted on glasses is used to obtain an image. The image is then sent to a small computer on the user’s belt. The images are processed in the computer and sent to the electrodes in the user’s visual cortex. The electrodes excite the brain and create an outline of bright spots that eventually form an image. Once you have the “bionic eye” you are no longer blind, although it may still be difficult for you to see certain objects. Having this eye is great, because it allows you to be able to drive. One of the first people to use the “bionic eye” said he was able to see the trees on his left and buildings on his right; he the trees and buildings to stay in the middle of the lane while he drove. Also, he could spot out large barriers or objects on the road, he could identify if there was a person in his way or not. This “bionic eye” is very expensive. It costs about $70,000 per person for the operation, equipment, and training. Also, it will not work if the person’s visual cortex did not develop properly, mainly those who were born blind. The United State’s FDA did not approve of this procedure, but the Dobelle Institute hopes to have it available in the United States within five years.¹ On the left: This is one of the first patients to use the “bionic eye”. He became blind an in accident, but with the use of the bionic eye, he is able to drive a car. Bottom: The retina is seven layers cells and processes that convert light into an electron signal that gets sent to the brain through the optic nerve. Even though people can see through the bionic eye, not all their vision is clear. This is why, car companies have started to develop cars with assistive technology for the blind. The Lexus car company predicts that by the year 2054, there will be a car that will have an infrared system to avert accidents. This car will also contain a voice activated driving system, DNA recognition, and an automatic valet aspect. For now, the Jaguar S Type already has voice command for changing the radio and heater. Mercedes has cars that have voice command for opening windows locking doors. ² On the left: The Jaguar Type S. Uses voice command to change the temperature and radio. On the right: Interior of the Jaguar Type S