Dennis Hong: Making a car for blind drivers

Translator: Jasmin Panjeta Reviewer: Mateja Nenadovic

Many believe driving is an activity

Mnogi vjeruju da je vožnja aktivnost

solely reserved for those who can see.

koja je samo rezervisana za one koji vide.

A blind person driving a vehicle safely and independently

Sigurna i nezavisna vožnja slijepe osobe

was thought to be an impossible task, until now.

smatrala se nemogućim zadatkom, sve do sada.

Hello, my name is Dennis Hong,

Zdravo, moje ime je Dennis Hong,

and we're bringing freedom and independence to the blind

i mi vam donosimo slobodnu i nezavisnost slijepima

by building a vehicle for the visually impaired.

praveći vozilo za osobe sa oštećenim vidom.

So before I talk about this car for the blind,

Prije nego počnem pričati o ovom autu za slijepe,

let me briefly tell you about another project that I worked on

dopustite mi da vam kratko predstavim drugi projekat na kojem sam radio

called the DARPA Urban Challenge.

nazvan DARPA Urbani Izazov.

Now this was about building a robotic car

Ovaj projekat je izgranja robotičkog auta

that can drive itself.

koji vozi samostalno.

You press start, nobody touches anything,

Pritisnete start, niko ne dodiruje ništa više,

and it can reach its destination fully autonomously.

a auto će samostalno doći do destinacije.

So in 2007, our team won half a million dollars

Tako u 2007., naš tim je osvojio pola miliona dolara

by placing third place in this competition.

nagrade za treće mjesto u ovome takmičenju.

So about that time,

Tako u tom vremenu,

the National Federation of the Blind, or NFB,

Nacionalna Federacija slijepih, ili NFS,

challenged the research committee

izazvala je istraživački komitet

about who can develop a car

pitanjem ko može da razvije auto

that lets a blind person drive safely and independently.

koji bi dopustio slijepim osobama da ga voze potpuno sigurno i samostalno.

We decided to give it a try,

Odlučili smo da pokušamo,

because we thought, "Hey, how hard could it be?"

jer smo mislili, hej, koliko to može biti teško.

We have already an autonomous vehicle.

Već smo napravili samovozeće auto.

We just put a blind person in it and we're done, right?

Samo stavimo slijepu osobu iza volana takvog auta, i gotovi smo, zar ne?

(Laughter)

(Smijeh)

We couldn't have been more wrong.

Nismo mogli više pogriješiti.

What NFB wanted

Ono što je NFS željela

was not a vehicle that can drive a blind person around,

nije auto koje će voziti slijepu osobu okolo,

but a vehicle where a blind person can make active decisions and drive.

već auto koje će učiniti vožnju slijepoj osobi akvinom odlukom i radnjom.

So we had to throw everything out the window

Morali smo sve da bacimo kroz prozor

and start from scratch.

i počnemo iz početka.

So to test this crazy idea,

Da bismo ispitali ovu ludu ideju,

we developed a small dune buggy prototype vehicle

razvili smo mali bagi za pješčane dine, kao prototip vozila

to test the feasibility.

da bismo ispitali izvodivost.

And in the summer of 2009,

U ljeto 2009.,

we invited dozens of blind youth from all over the country

pozvali smo desetine slijepih mladih osoba iz cijele države

and gave them a chance to take it for a spin.

te im dali šansu da se provozaju.

It was an absolutely amazing experience.

Bilo je zaista izvanredno iskustvo.

But the problem with this car was

Ali problem je bio taj da je auto

it was designed to only be driven in a very controlled environment,

bilo napravljeno da se vozi u jako kontrolisanim uslovima,

in a flat, closed-off parking lot --

na ravnom zatvorenom parkingu --

even the lanes defined by red traffic cones.

čak su i linije bile napravljene od crvenih saobraćajnih čunjeva.

So with this success,

Sa ovim uspjehom,

we decided to take the next big step,

odlučili smo da napravimo veliki pomak naprijed,

to develop a real car that can be driven on real roads.

i da razvijemo pravi auto koji će se moći voziti na pravim putevima.

So how does it work?

Kako to radi?

Well, it's a rather complex system,

Zapravo, sistem je jako komplikovan,

but let me try to explain it, maybe simplify it.

ali dopustite mi da vam pokušam objasniti, i pojednostavniti.

So we have three steps.

Imamo tri koraka.

We have perception, computation

Imamo percepciju, proračun

and non-visual interfaces.

i ne-vizuelno povezivanje.

Now obviously the driver cannot see,

Očigledno vozač ne može vidjeti,

so the system needs to perceive the environment

tako da sistem mora percipirati okolinu

and gather information for the driver.

i prikupiti informacije za vozača.

For that, we use an initial measurement unit.

Za to, koristimo početnu jedinicu mjere.

So it measures acceleration, angular acceleration --

Ona mjeri ubrzanje, kutno ubrzanje

like a human ear, inner ear.

poput ljudskog uha, unutrašnjeg uha.

We fuse that information with a GPS unit

Tu informaciju pošaljemo u GPS jedinicu

to get an estimate of the location of the car.

da dobijemo procjenu lokacije auta.

We also use two cameras to detect the lanes of the road.

Također koristimo dvije kamere da otkrijemo linije puta.

And we also use three laser range finders.

A također koristimo tri lasera za pronalazak.

The lasers scan the environment to detect obstacles --

Ovi laseri skeniraju okolinu da otkriju prepreke --

a car approaching from the front, the back

auto koje se približava sa prednje strane, sa zadnje strane,

and also any obstacles that run into the roads,

a također i bilo koje druge prepreke koje se mogu naći na putu,

any obstacles around the vehicle.

bilo koje prepreke oko auta.

So all this vast amount of information is then fed into the computer,

Ova velika količina podataka se šalje u kompjuter,

and the computer can do two things.

a kompjuter može da učini dvije stvari.

One is, first of all, process this information

Jedna je, prije svega, da procesira ove informacije

to have an understanding of the environment --

da bi se dobila slika okoline --

these are the lanes of the road, there's the obstacles --

ovo čine linije puta, bilo koje prepreke --

and convey this information to the driver.

te prenosi ove informacije vozaču.

The system is also smart enough

Sistem je dovoljno pametan

to figure out the safest way to operate the car.

da procjeni najsigurniji način upravljanja autom.

So we can also generate instructions

Također stvaramo instrukcije o tome

on how to operate the controls of the vehicle.

kako da se upravlja kontrolama vozila.

But the problem is this: How do we convey

Ali problem je ovo: kako da prenesemo

this information and instructions

ove informacije i instrukcije

to a person who cannot see

osobi koja ne vidi

fast enough and accurate enough so he can drive?

dovoljno brzo i tačno da zaista može voziti auto?

So for this, we developed many different types

Kao rješenje ovoga, razvili smo različite tipove

of non-visual user interface technology.

ne-vizuelne tehnologije povezivanja.

So starting from a three-dimensional ping sound system,

Počevši od tridimenzionalnog sistema zvučnih signala,

a vibrating vest,

vibracijskog prsluka,

a click wheel with voice commands, a leg strip,

volana sa zvukovima i glasovnim komandama, nožnim navlakama,

even a shoe that applies pressure to the foot.

pa čak i cipele koja vrši pritisak na stopalo.

But today we're going to talk about

Ali danas ćemo razgovarati o

three of these non-visual user interfaces.

tri tehnologije ne-vizuelnog povezivanja.

Now the first interface is called a DriveGrip.

Prvi se zove DriveGrip.

So these are a pair of gloves,

Tako da postoje rukavice,

and it has vibrating elements on the knuckle part

koje imaju ugrađene vibracijske elemente na gornjoj strani,

so you can convey instructions about how to steer --

da biste dobili informacije o tome kako da okrećemo volan --

the direction and the intensity.

pravac i intenzitet.

Another device is called SpeedStrip.

Drugi uređaj se naziva SpeedStrip.

So this is a chair -- as a matter of fact, it's actually a massage chair.

Ovo je stolica -- u stvari, to je stolica za masažu.

We gut it out, and we rearrange the vibrating elements in different patterns,

Otvorili smo je, i preraspodjelili vibracijski sistem na drugačiji način.

and we actuate them to convey information about the speed,

I podesili smo ih da prenose informacije o brzini,

and also instructions how to use the gas and the brake pedal.

a ujedno i instrukcije kako da se koriste gas i kočnica.

So over here, you can see

Dakle, ovdje možete vidjeti

how the computer understands the environment,

kako kompjuter razumije okolinu.

and because you cannot see the vibration,

I pošto ne možete vidjeti vibraciju,

we actually put red LED's on the driver so that you can see what's happening.

stavili smo crveno LED svjetlo na mjesto vozača, da može vidjeti šta se dešava.

This is the sensory data,

Ovo su osjetilni podaci,

and that data is transferred to the devices through the computer.

koji su preneseni do ovih uređaja kroz kompjuter.

So these two devices, DriveGrip and SpeedStrip,

Ovo su ta dva uređaja, DriveGrip i SpeedStrip,

are very effective.

vrlo su učinkovita.

But the problem is

Ali problem je

these are instructional cue devices.

ovo su uređaji koji daju instrukcije.

So this is not really freedom, right?

Nema prave slobode, zar ne?

The computer tells you how to drive --

Kompjuter kaže kako da voziš --

turn left, turn right, speed up, stop.

skreni lijevo, skreni desno, ubrzaj, zaustavi se.

We call this the "backseat-driver problem."

Ovo nazivamo problemom vozača sa zadnjeg sjedišta.

So we're moving away from the instructional cue devices,

Ostavljamo ove uređaje koji daju instrukcije,

and we're now focusing more

te se više fokusiramo

on the informational devices.

na uređaje za informacije.

A good example for this informational non-visual user interface

Dobar primjer ovih ne-vizuelnih tehnologija povezivanja

is called AirPix.

se naziva AirPix.

So think of it as a monitor for the blind.

Zamislite ga kao monitor za slijepe.

So it's a small tablet, has many holes in it,

Mala tabla, sa puno rupa,

and compressed air comes out,

iz kojih kompresovani zrak izlazi,

so it can actually draw images.

tako da može stvarati slike.

So even though you are blind, you can put your hand over it,

Tako da, iako ste slijepi, možete staviti ruku iznad,

you can see the lanes of the road and obstacles.

i vidjeti obrise linija puta i prepreke.

Actually, you can also change the frequency of the air coming out

Ustvari, možete promjeniti i frekvenciju zraka koji izlazi

and possibly the temperature.

a moguće i temperaturu.

So it's actually a multi-dimensional user interface.

Dakle to je višedimenzionalni uređaj.

So here you can see the left camera, the right camera from the vehicle

Ovdje vidite lijevu kameru, desnu kameru vozila

and how the computer interprets that and sends that information to the AirPix.

i kako kompjuter tumači podatke i šalje informacije u AirPix.

For this, we're showing a simulator,

Za ovo, pokazujemo simulator,

a blind person driving using the AirPix.

slijepa osoba koja koristi AirPix.

This simulator was also very useful for training the blind drivers

Ovaj simulator je također bio jako koristan za trening slijepih vozača

and also quickly testing different types of ideas

i također brzo testira različite ideje

for different types of non-visual user interfaces.

za različite ne-vizualne uređaje.

So basically that's how it works.

Ovako to funkcioniše.

So just a month ago,

Prije mjesec dana

on January 29th,

29tog januara

we unveiled this vehicle for the very first time to the public

otkrili smo ovaj auto publici po prvi put

at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway

na svjetski poznatoj Daytona International brzoj cesti

during the Rolex 24 racing event.

tokom Rolex 24 utrke.

We also had some surprises. Let's take a look.

Također smo imali nekoliko iznenađenja. Pogledajte.

(Music)

(Muzika)

(Video) Announcer: This is an historic day in January.

(Video) Najavljivač: Ovo je historijski dan [nejasno].

He's coming up to the grandstand, fellow Federationists.

Dolazi do gledališta, kolega Federistas.

(Cheering)

(Navijanje)

(Honking)

(Trube)

There's the grandstand now.

Evo ga kod gledališta.

And he's [unclear] following that van that's out in front of him.

I on [nejasno] prati ovaj kombi koji je ispred njega.

Well there comes the first box.

Evo prve prepreke.

Now let's see if Mark avoids it.

Da vidimo kako će je Mark izbjeći.

He does. He passes it on the right.

Izbjegao je. Prošao je sa desna.

Third box is out. The fourth box is out.

Treća kutija je zaobiđena. Četvrta također.

And he's perfectly making his way between the two.

Savršeno ide između ove dvije.

He's closing in on the van

Približava se kombiju

to make the moving pass.

da ga zaobiđe.

Well this is what it's all about,

Ovo je ono o čemu je riječ,

this kind of dynamic display of audacity and ingenuity.

ovaj tip dinamičkog prikaza odvažnosti i genijalnosti.

He's approaching the end of the run,

Približava se kraju utrke,

makes his way between the barrels that are set up there.

nalazi put između bačvi koje su ovdje postavljene.

(Honking)

(Trube)

(Applause)

(Aplauz)

Dennis Hong: I'm so happy for you.

Dennis Hong: Sretan sam za vas.

Mark's going to give me a ride back to the hotel.

Mark će me odvesti nazad do hotela.

Mark Riccobono: Yes.

Mark Riccobono: Da.

(Applause)

(Aplauz)

DH: So since we started this project,

DH: Od kako smo počeli ovaj projekat,

we've been getting hundreds of letters, emails, phone calls

dobili smo stotine pisama, emailova, telefonskih poziva

from people from all around the world.

od ljudi iz cijelog svijeta.

Letters thanking us, but sometimes you also get funny letters like this one:

Pisma zahvale, ali nekada dobijemo smiješna pisma poput ovoga:

"Now I understand why there is Braille on a drive-up ATM machine."

"Sada razumijem zašto postoji Brailovo pismo na "drive up" bankomatima

(Laughter)

(Smijeh)

But sometimes --

Ali nekada --

(Laughter)

(Smijeh)

But sometimes I also do get --

Ali nekada dobijem i

I wouldn't call it hate mail --

ne bih nazvao to pisma mržnje --

but letters of really strong concern:

ali pisma koja izražavaju jaku zabrinutost:

"Dr. Hong, are you insane,

"Dr. Hong, vi ste ludi,

trying to put blind people on the road?

pokušavate da stavite slijepe ljude na cestu?

You must be out of your mind."

Mora da ste izvan pameti."

But this vehicle is a prototype vehicle,

Ali ovo vozilo je prototip vozila,

and it's not going to be on the road

i neće biti na cesti

until it's proven as safe as, or safer than, today's vehicle.

dok se ne dokaže da je sigurno kao, ili sigurnije od današnjih vozila.

And I truly believe that this can happen.

I istinski vjerujem da će se ovo desiti.

But still, will the society,

Ali i dalje, da li će društvo,

would they accept such a radical idea?

prihvatiti ovakve radikalne ideje?

How are we going to handle insurance?

Kako ćemo pristupiti osiguranju?

How are we going to issue driver's licenses?

Kako ćemo izdavati vozačke dozvole?

There's many of these different kinds of hurdles besides technology challenges

Postoji mnoštvo ovakvih problema osim tehnoloških izazova

that we need to address before this becomes a reality.

koje moramo riješiti prije nego ovo postane stvarnost.

Of course, the main goal of this project

Naravno, glavni cilj ovog projekta

is to develop a car for the blind.

je da se razvije auto za slijepe.

But potentially more important than this

Ali potencijalno još važnije od ovoga je

is the tremendous value of the spin-off technology

velika vrijednost ove nove tehnologije

that can come from this project.

koja može nastati iz ovog projekta.

The sensors that are used can see through the dark,

Senzori koji se koriste mogu vidjeti u mraku,

the fog and rain.

magli i kiši.

And together with this new type of interfaces,

I zajedno sa ovim novim tipom povezivanja,

we can use these technologies

možemo koristiti ove tehnologije

and apply them to safer cars for sighted people.

i aplicirati ih da učinimo auta sigurnijim za sve.

Or for the blind, everyday home appliances --

Ili za slijepe osobe, aparate iz kućne upotrebe --

in the educational setting, in the office setting.

u procesu obrazovanja, u uredu.

Just imagine, in a classroom a teacher writes on the blackboard

Samo zamislite, u učionici učitelj piše po tabli

and a blind student can see what's written and read

a slijepi učenik može vidjeti šta je napisano i to pročitati

using these non-visual interfaces.

koristeći ne-vizuelno povezivanje.

This is priceless.

Ovo je neprocjenjivo.

So today, the things I've showed you today, is just the beginning.

Tako da danas, stvari koje smo vam pokazali danas, predstavljaju samo početak.

Thank you very much.

Hvala vam mnogo.

(Applause)

(Aplauz)