Dennis Hong: Making a car for blind drivers

翻译人员: Bear Jin 校对人员: Angelia King

Many believe driving is an activity

很多人认为开车是一件

solely reserved for those who can see.

仅仅那些能看见的人才能做的事情。

A blind person driving a vehicle safely and independently

盲人想单独的安全的驾驶一辆车

was thought to be an impossible task, until now.

直到现在，也被认为是一件不可能的任务。

Hello, my name is Dennis Hong,

大家好，我叫丹尼斯·洪，

and we're bringing freedom and independence to the blind

我们为了盲人的自由和独立

by building a vehicle for the visually impaired.

制造了一辆针对视觉障碍有问题的人们而设计的汽车。

So before I talk about this car for the blind,

在我讲述这辆盲人用的车之前，

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

让我简略的说一下我曾经做过的另外一个项目

called the DARPA Urban Challenge.

叫做美国国防部高级研究计划局城市挑战赛。

Now this was about building a robotic car

这是关于制造一辆能自己驾驶的

that can drive itself.

机械车。

You press start, nobody touches anything,

你按下开始键，不再碰任何东西，

and it can reach its destination fully autonomously.

它也能完全自动的到达它的目的地。

So in 2007, our team won half a million dollars

在2007年的挑战赛上，我们团队赢得了50万美元

by placing third place in this competition.

获得比赛的第三名。

So about that time,

大概那个时候，

the National Federation of the Blind, or NFB,

全国盲人协会，或盲协，

challenged the research committee

对设计团队提出了挑战

about who can develop a car

关于谁能设计出一辆

that lets a blind person drive safely and independently.

能让盲人独立安全驾驶的汽车。

We decided to give it a try,

我们觉得要尝试一下，

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

因为我们觉得，哎，这个会难到哪里去呢。

We have already an autonomous vehicle.

我们已经有了辆自动的汽车。

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

我们只要让盲人做到里面开车，那不就完事啦，对吧？

(Laughter)

（笑声）

We couldn't have been more wrong.

但是我们错的不靠谱了。

What NFB wanted

盲协想要的

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

不是一辆能载着盲人乱逛的车，

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

而是一辆盲人能主动做出选择并驾驭的一辆车。

So we had to throw everything out the window

所以我们不得不放弃我们原有的所有东西

and start from scratch.

从头开始做起。

So to test this crazy idea,

为了测试这个疯狂的想法，

we developed a small dune buggy prototype vehicle

我们设计出了一个小型沙地车的原型车

to test the feasibility.

来测试其可行性。

And in the summer of 2009,

在2009年暑期，

we invited dozens of blind youth from all over the country

我们邀请了全国很多盲人青年

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

并给他们次机会用这车来兜风。

It was an absolutely amazing experience.

这绝对是一个炫酷的体验。

But the problem with this car was

但是这车的问题在于

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

它的设计只能让盲人在很有限的环境下驾驶，

in a flat, closed-off parking lot --

像一个封闭的停车场--

even the lanes defined by red traffic cones.

甚至能在用红色交通锥搭成的小路上行驶。

So with this success,

所以有了这次成功，

we decided to take the next big step,

我们决定进行重要的下一步，

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

制造一辆能在真正马路上行驶的真正的车。

So how does it work?

那它怎么运作的呢？

Well, it's a rather complex system,

嗯，这是个相对复杂的系统，

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

但是让我来解释一下，来简化一下。

So we have three steps.

我们有三个阶段。

We have perception, computation

我们有感应阶段，计算阶段

and non-visual interfaces.

和非视觉界面。

Now obviously the driver cannot see,

驾驶员明显是看不见的，

so the system needs to perceive the environment

所以系统必须能感知周围环境

and gather information for the driver.

并为驾驶员收集数据。

For that, we use an initial measurement unit.

这点，我们使用初始计量元件。

So it measures acceleration, angular acceleration --

它测量加速度，角加速度--

like a human ear, inner ear.

就像人耳，内耳。

We fuse that information with a GPS unit

我把这信息和全球定位系统结合在一起

to get an estimate of the location of the car.

来预测车辆所处的位置。

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

我们还用两个摄像头来探测行车的路径。

And we also use three laser range finders.

我们还用三个激光测距仪。

The lasers scan the environment to detect obstacles --

激光扫描环境来探测障碍物--

a car approaching from the front, the back

从前方，后方靠经的车辆

and also any obstacles that run into the roads,

同时还有闯进路上的任何障碍物，

any obstacles around the vehicle.

在车辆周围的任何障碍物。

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

所有海量的信息接着汇总到电脑中，

and the computer can do two things.

电脑会做两件事。

One is, first of all, process this information

首先的，一件事是处理信息

to have an understanding of the environment --

来了解周围环境--

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

哪些是行车路径，哪些是障碍物--

and convey this information to the driver.

并转化这些信息给驾驶者。

The system is also smart enough

这系统也是十分智能化

to figure out the safest way to operate the car.

能算出最安全的行车路径。

So we can also generate instructions

我们也能发出指令

on how to operate the controls of the vehicle.

关于如何操作车辆的运行程序。

But the problem is this: How do we convey

但是问题是：我们怎么才能把

this information and instructions

信息和指令

to a person who cannot see

够快又够准确地传输

fast enough and accurate enough so he can drive?

给盲人来确保他能驾驶？

So for this, we developed many different types

为此，我们设计了很多种不同的

of non-visual user interface technology.

非视觉用户界面技术。

So starting from a three-dimensional ping sound system,

最初的三维平音响系统，

a vibrating vest,

震动背心，

a click wheel with voice commands, a leg strip,

声控齿轮，腿带，

even a shoe that applies pressure to the foot.

甚至给脚施压的鞋子。

But today we're going to talk about

但是今天我们讲的是关于

three of these non-visual user interfaces.

其中三样非视觉用户界面技术。

Now the first interface is called a DriveGrip.

第一个界面叫做驾驶手柄。

So these are a pair of gloves,

这是一对手套，

and it has vibrating elements on the knuckle part

在指节部它有震动元件，

so you can convey instructions about how to steer --

以此你能传输如何行驶的指令--

the direction and the intensity.

方向和幅度。

Another device is called SpeedStrip.

另外一个设备叫做速度震带。

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

这个车椅--实际上，这是个按摩椅。

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

我们把它拆出来，我们重组不同模式的震动元件。

and we actuate them to convey information about the speed,

我们让它们来传输速度的信息，

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

同时也有如何使用油门和刹车的指示。

So over here, you can see

在这里，你能看到

how the computer understands the environment,

电脑如何理解周围环境。

and because you cannot see the vibration,

因为你无法看出震动，

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

我们实际在驾驶员身上安装了红色发光二极管，所以他能看到什么正在发生。

This is the sensory data,

这是感应的数据，

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

这数据从感应器被传输到电脑里。

So these two devices, DriveGrip and SpeedStrip,

所以这两种设备，驾驶手柄和速度震带，

are very effective.

是很有效的。

But the problem is

但是问题是

these are instructional cue devices.

这些是指令暗示装置。

So this is not really freedom, right?

所以这不是真正意义上的自由，对吧？

The computer tells you how to drive --

电脑告诉你如何驾驶--

turn left, turn right, speed up, stop.

左转，右转，加速，刹车。

We call this the "backseat-driver problem."

我把这叫做副驾驶问题。

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

所以我们正避免指令暗示装置，

and we're now focusing more

并更关注于

on the informational devices.

信息装置。

A good example for this informational non-visual user interface

这种非视觉信息界面的一个典型例子是

is called AirPix.

叫做空图。

So think of it as a monitor for the blind.

把这个看成盲人的显示器。

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

这是个小桌面，有很多孔在上面，

and compressed air comes out,

压缩空气从中排除，

so it can actually draw images.

以此它就能描述成图片。

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

所以即使你是盲人，你把手放在它上面，

you can see the lanes of the road and obstacles.

你也能感应到行径路线和障碍物。

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

实际上，你还能改变空气中释放出的频率

and possibly the temperature.

有可能还有温度。

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

这实际就是一个多维的用户界面。

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

这里，你能看到左，右两边的摄像头

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

以及电脑如何解析并传送这些信息给空图。

For this, we're showing a simulator,

就这样，我们正展示一个模拟程序，

a blind person driving using the AirPix.

一个盲人正在用空图驾驶。

This simulator was also very useful for training the blind drivers

这个程序在依据不同种类的非视觉用户界面方面对于训练盲人驾驶者

and also quickly testing different types of ideas

和快速地测试不同的理论

for different types of non-visual user interfaces.

有很大的帮助。

So basically that's how it works.

这就是基本上它如何运作的。

So just a month ago,

就在一个月前

on January 29th,

1月29日，

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

我们第一次把此车向大众公布

at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway

在世界著名的代托纳国际赛道

during the Rolex 24 racing event.

举办劳力士24小时赛车活动期间。

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

我们也收获了一些惊喜。一睹为快吧。

(Music)

（音乐）

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

（录像）播音员：这是个历史性的一天。

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

他转向主看台，伙计们。

(Cheering)

（欢呼）

(Honking)

（汽车喇叭声）

There's the grandstand now.

现在他到主看台了。

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

他跟随着前方的那辆货车。

Well there comes the first box.

那第一个箱子出现了。

Now let's see if Mark avoids it.

让我们看看马克能不能躲开它。

He does. He passes it on the right.

他做到了。他从右侧穿过了它。

Third box is out. The fourth box is out.

第三个箱子出现了。第四个箱子出现了。

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

他完美地从中间穿了过去。

He's closing in on the van

他接近货车

to make the moving pass.

准备超车过去。

Well this is what it's all about,

这就是它的全部，

this kind of dynamic display of audacity and ingenuity.

这种大胆而独创的激情的表演。

He's approaching the end of the run,

他接近最后的终点了，

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

从那设障的塑料桶中间穿过成功抵达。

(Honking)

（汽车喇叭声）

(Applause)

（掌声）

Dennis Hong: I'm so happy for you.

丹尼斯·洪：我为你感到高兴。

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

马克等会儿会开车送我回旅馆的。

Mark Riccobono: Yes.

马克·里科博诺：没错。

(Applause)

（掌声）

DH: So since we started this project,

丹尼斯·洪：自此我们开始这个项目，

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

我们已经收到了

from people from all around the world.

来自全世界的人们的上百封来信，邮件，电话。

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

有的信感谢我们，但是有时候你也会收到些有趣的信比如这个：

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

“现在我知道为什么布莱叶点字法(盲人用点字法)会使用在自动取款机上了。”

(Laughter)

（笑声）

But sometimes --

但是有时--

(Laughter)

（笑声）

But sometimes I also do get --

但是有时我也会收到--

I wouldn't call it hate mail --

我不觉得它是带有攻击性的信--

but letters of really strong concern:

而是些十分强烈关注的信：

"Dr. Hong, are you insane,

“洪博士，你疯了吗，

trying to put blind people on the road?

试着让盲人开车上路？

You must be out of your mind."

你肯定是疯了。”

But this vehicle is a prototype vehicle,

但是这车是一个模型车，

and it's not going to be on the road

它也不会上路

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

除非它被证明和如今的汽车一样驾驶安全，或者更安全而言。

And I truly believe that this can happen.

我真地坚信这会发生。

But still, will the society,

但是，社会是否，

would they accept such a radical idea?

它们是否能接受这个激进的想法呢？

How are we going to handle insurance?

我们将如何来处理保险呢？

How are we going to issue driver's licenses?

我们将如何签发驾照呢？

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

在技术挑战的背后还有很多各种不同的障碍

that we need to address before this becomes a reality.

在其真正成为现实前我们需要去解决。

Of course, the main goal of this project

当然，这个项目的主要目的

is to develop a car for the blind.

是设计一辆盲人驾驶的车。

But potentially more important than this

但是潜在的比这更重要的

is the tremendous value of the spin-off technology

是这个项目中的副产品中

that can come from this project.

蕴含的巨大价值。

The sensors that are used can see through the dark,

能用来透视黑暗，雨雾的

the fog and rain.

传感器。

And together with this new type of interfaces,

以及这新种类的界面，

we can use these technologies

我们能利用这些技术

and apply them to safer cars for sighted people.

让它们为可视人群提供更安全的车辆。

Or for the blind, everyday home appliances --

或者为了盲人，每天生活上的家用装置--

in the educational setting, in the office setting.

教育设施，办公设施应用服务。

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

想象下，在课堂上老师在黑板上写笔记

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

盲人学生也能用这些非视觉界面

using these non-visual interfaces.

来了解和阅读老师所写的东西。

This is priceless.

这是极其珍贵的。

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

今天，我所展示给大家的，只是一个开始。

Thank you very much.

非常感谢。

(Applause)

（掌声）