TED2011
Dennis Hong: Making a car for blind drivers
丹尼斯．洪（音譯）為盲人打造汽車
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丹尼斯利用機器人學、雷射測距儀、GPS與智能回饋裝置為全盲駕駛造車－不是自動駕駛，而是一輛能讓全盲駕駛人決定速度、靠近程度和路線，可以獨立駕駛的汽車
Dennis Hong - Roboticist
Dennis Hong is the founder and director of RoMeLa -- a Virginia Tech robotics lab that has pioneered several breakthroughs in robot design and engineering. Full bio
Dennis Hong is the founder and director of RoMeLa -- a Virginia Tech robotics lab that has pioneered several breakthroughs in robot design and engineering. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:15
Many believe driving is an activity
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很多人認為開車是
00:18
solely reserved for those who can see.
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一項只有明眼人才能從事的活動
00:20
A blind person driving a vehicle safely and independently
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讓全盲的人安全地獨自開車
00:23
was thought to be an impossible task, until now.
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是不可能的任務，直到現在
00:26
Hello, my name is Dennis Hong,
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哈囉，我是丹尼斯．洪（音譯）
00:28
and we're bringing freedom and independence to the blind
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為視力受損人士造車，我們可以帶給他們
00:30
by building a vehicle for the visually impaired.
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獨立與自由
00:33
So before I talk about this car for the blind,
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在我開始講為盲人打造的這輛車以前
00:36
let me briefly tell you about another project that I worked on
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我想先簡單的分享一下我先前的另一個計畫
00:38
called the DARPA Urban Challenge.
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叫美國國防先進研究計劃局(DARPA)都市挑戰
00:40
Now this was about building a robotic car
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是要造出一輛全機械化
00:42
that can drive itself.
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可以自動駕駛的汽車
00:44
You press start, nobody touches anything,
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按下"開始"，然後什麼都不碰
00:46
and it can reach its destination fully autonomously.
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車子就會自動開往目的地
00:49
So in 2007, our team won half a million dollars
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在2007年，我們團隊贏得五十萬美元
00:52
by placing third place in this competition.
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因為在這項競賽裡得了第三名
00:54
So about that time,
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所以那時候
00:56
the National Federation of the Blind, or NFB,
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全國盲人聯合會(NFB)
00:58
challenged the research committee
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對研究委員們提出挑戰
01:00
about who can develop a car
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看誰能夠開發出
01:02
that lets a blind person drive safely and independently.
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能讓盲人安全地獨自駕駛的汽車
01:04
We decided to give it a try,
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我們決定試試看
01:06
because we thought, "Hey, how hard could it be?"
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因為我們覺得這應該不大難啊
01:08
We have already an autonomous vehicle.
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既然已經有可以自動駕駛的汽車
01:10
We just put a blind person in it and we're done, right?
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只要讓盲人坐進去不就大功告成了嗎？
01:12
(Laughter)
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（笑）
01:14
We couldn't have been more wrong.
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結果我們完全搞錯了
01:16
What NFB wanted
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他們要的
01:18
was not a vehicle that can drive a blind person around,
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不是能帶著盲人四處轉轉的載具
01:21
but a vehicle where a blind person can make active decisions and drive.
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而是能讓盲人即時做出判斷來駕駛的車
01:24
So we had to throw everything out the window
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所以我們得把一切都拋諸腦後
01:26
and start from scratch.
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重頭開始
01:28
So to test this crazy idea,
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為了測試這個瘋狂的想法
01:30
we developed a small dune buggy prototype vehicle
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我們做出一輛小型的沙灘車原型車
01:32
to test the feasibility.
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來了解計畫是否可行
01:34
And in the summer of 2009,
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在2009年的夏天
01:36
we invited dozens of blind youth from all over the country
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我們邀請數十個全國各地的失明青年
01:39
and gave them a chance to take it for a spin.
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給他們機會上車去試試
01:41
It was an absolutely amazing experience.
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那經驗超棒的
01:43
But the problem with this car was
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問題是
01:45
it was designed to only be driven in a very controlled environment,
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這車子的設計，只能在極度受到控制的環境下駕駛
01:48
in a flat, closed-off parking lot --
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像是平坦無人的停車場
01:50
even the lanes defined by red traffic cones.
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連車道都是用紅色三角錐圍起來
01:52
So with this success,
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這項成功
01:54
we decided to take the next big step,
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促使我們決定更邁進一步
01:56
to develop a real car that can be driven on real roads.
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研發出能在真實道路上駕駛的汽車
01:59
So how does it work?
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那又是怎麼做到的呢？
02:01
Well, it's a rather complex system,
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嗯，這系統有點複雜
02:03
but let me try to explain it, maybe simplify it.
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但我會試著用最簡單的話來解釋
02:06
So we have three steps.
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一共分成三部份
02:08
We have perception, computation
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也就是知覺、計算
02:10
and non-visual interfaces.
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和非視覺介面
02:12
Now obviously the driver cannot see,
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既然駕駛人看不見
02:14
so the system needs to perceive the environment
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這個系統就要感覺周遭環境的變化
02:16
and gather information for the driver.
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並為駕駛人蒐集資訊
02:18
For that, we use an initial measurement unit.
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因此，我們使用初步測量單元
02:21
So it measures acceleration, angular acceleration --
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來測量加速度、角加速度
02:23
like a human ear, inner ear.
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就像人類耳朵和內耳的作用一樣
02:25
We fuse that information with a GPS unit
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這些訊息和GPS單元結合
02:27
to get an estimate of the location of the car.
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來估計汽車目前位置
02:30
We also use two cameras to detect the lanes of the road.
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我們也用了兩架攝影機來偵測道路兩側
02:33
And we also use three laser range finders.
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還有三台雷射測距儀
02:35
The lasers scan the environment to detect obstacles --
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用來掃描周遭環境的障礙物
02:38
a car approaching from the front, the back
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像是前方和後方來車
02:40
and also any obstacles that run into the roads,
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進入道路的障礙物
02:43
any obstacles around the vehicle.
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以及在車子附近的其他障礙物
02:45
So all this vast amount of information is then fed into the computer,
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這些資料全部都會傳進電腦裡
02:48
and the computer can do two things.
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然後電腦會作兩件事
02:50
One is, first of all, process this information
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首先，電腦會處理所有資訊
02:53
to have an understanding of the environment --
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來了解周遭環境
02:55
these are the lanes of the road, there's the obstacles --
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道路有幾線，哪裡有障礙物
02:58
and convey this information to the driver.
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然後傳達給駕駛人
03:00
The system is also smart enough
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這系統聰明到
03:02
to figure out the safest way to operate the car.
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可以找出最安全的駕駛方式
03:04
So we can also generate instructions
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所以我們還能產生指引
03:06
on how to operate the controls of the vehicle.
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來指導駕駛人如何控制汽車
03:08
But the problem is this: How do we convey
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但問題來了，我們要怎樣傳達
03:10
this information and instructions
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這些資訊和指引
03:12
to a person who cannot see
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給看不見的人們
03:14
fast enough and accurate enough so he can drive?
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又快又準，讓他們可以開車呢？
03:17
So for this, we developed many different types
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所以，我們發展出許多不同的
03:19
of non-visual user interface technology.
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非視覺使用介面科技
03:22
So starting from a three-dimensional ping sound system,
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首先是三維聲響系統
03:24
a vibrating vest,
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還有振動背心
03:26
a click wheel with voice commands, a leg strip,
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聲控點擊輪，大腿繫帶
03:29
even a shoe that applies pressure to the foot.
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甚至是可以在腳掌上施壓的鞋子
03:31
But today we're going to talk about
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但今天我們要講的是
03:33
three of these non-visual user interfaces.
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以下三種非視覺使用介面
03:35
Now the first interface is called a DriveGrip.
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首先是DriveGrip（駕駛握把）
03:38
So these are a pair of gloves,
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那是一雙手套
03:40
and it has vibrating elements on the knuckle part
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在指關節的部份有振動元件
03:42
so you can convey instructions about how to steer --
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就可以傳達操作方向盤的指示
03:45
the direction and the intensity.
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要往哪個方向，轉多少
03:47
Another device is called SpeedStrip.
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另外一個裝置是SpeedStrip
03:49
So this is a chair -- as a matter of fact, it's actually a massage chair.
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這是一張椅子，事實上是一張按摩椅
03:52
We gut it out, and we rearrange the vibrating elements in different patterns,
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我們把它拆開，再把振動元件排列組合成別的樣式
03:56
and we actuate them to convey information about the speed,
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啟動以後，利用它們傳達速度的訊息
03:59
and also instructions how to use the gas and the brake pedal.
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還有踩油門跟煞車踏板的指引
04:02
So over here, you can see
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從這裡你可以看到
04:04
how the computer understands the environment,
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電腦怎樣了解周遭環境的
04:06
and because you cannot see the vibration,
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因為肉眼看不見振動
04:08
we actually put red LED's on the driver so that you can see what's happening.
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所以我們放了紅色的LED，讓駕駛可以知道發生什麼事
04:11
This is the sensory data,
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這些都是感應元件輸出的資料
04:13
and that data is transferred to the devices through the computer.
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之後會透過電腦傳送到裝置上
04:16
So these two devices, DriveGrip and SpeedStrip,
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DriveGrip 和 SpeedStrip這兩個裝置
04:18
are very effective.
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效率很高
04:20
But the problem is
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但問題是
04:22
these are instructional cue devices.
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這些都是引導裝置
04:24
So this is not really freedom, right?
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並不是真正的自由駕駛，對吧？
04:26
The computer tells you how to drive --
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是由電腦告訴你該怎麼開車
04:28
turn left, turn right, speed up, stop.
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左轉、右轉、加速、煞車
04:30
We call this the "backseat-driver problem."
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我們稱之為「後座駕駛問題」
04:32
So we're moving away from the instructional cue devices,
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所以，我們得把這些引導裝置擺在一邊
04:35
and we're now focusing more
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然後把精力放在
04:37
on the informational devices.
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訊息提供裝置上
04:39
A good example for this informational non-visual user interface
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一個非視覺訊息提供使用者介面的例子是
04:41
is called AirPix.
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AirPix
04:43
So think of it as a monitor for the blind.
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這就像是盲人的螢幕
04:45
So it's a small tablet, has many holes in it,
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就是一個小面板，上面有很多小洞
04:47
and compressed air comes out,
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壓縮空氣會從洞裡噴出來
04:49
so it can actually draw images.
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所以能夠描繪圖像
04:51
So even though you are blind, you can put your hand over it,
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即使眼睛看不見，把手放在板子上
04:53
you can see the lanes of the road and obstacles.
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也可以看到車道和障礙物
04:55
Actually, you can also change the frequency of the air coming out
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而且，還可以改變空氣噴出的頻率
04:58
and possibly the temperature.
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甚至溫度
05:00
So it's actually a multi-dimensional user interface.
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這其實是一個多維度的使用者介面
05:03
So here you can see the left camera, the right camera from the vehicle
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在這裡你可以看到汽車的左右攝影機鏡頭
05:06
and how the computer interprets that and sends that information to the AirPix.
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還有電腦如何解讀並傳送訊息到AirPix
05:09
For this, we're showing a simulator,
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為了這個，我們弄了個模擬器
05:11
a blind person driving using the AirPix.
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讓盲人在駕駛時使用AirPix
05:14
This simulator was also very useful for training the blind drivers
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模擬器對訓練盲人駕駛也很有用
05:17
and also quickly testing different types of ideas
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還可以快速測試不同的點子
05:19
for different types of non-visual user interfaces.
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不同的非視覺使用者介面
05:21
So basically that's how it works.
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這模擬器大概就是這樣
05:23
So just a month ago,
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大約一個月前
05:25
on January 29th,
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也就是一月二十九號
05:27
we unveiled this vehicle for the very first time to the public
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我們第一次公開展示這輛車
05:29
at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway
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是在全球知名的德通那國際賽車場
05:32
during the Rolex 24 racing event.
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的勞力士24車賽裡
05:34
We also had some surprises. Let's take a look.
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我們也準備了一些驚喜，讓大家來看看
05:37
(Music)
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（音樂）
05:47
(Video) Announcer: This is an historic day in January.
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（影片）司儀：這是歷史性的一天
05:51
He's coming up to the grandstand, fellow Federationists.
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他正接近主看台，跟著Federistas
05:55
(Cheering)
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（歡呼）
06:01
(Honking)
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（鳴喇叭）
06:04
There's the grandstand now.
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他到主看台了
06:06
And he's [unclear] following that van that's out in front of him.
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而且正跟著前方那輛廂型車
06:10
Well there comes the first box.
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然後第一個箱子出現
06:12
Now let's see if Mark avoids it.
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讓我們看看馬克能不能避開它們
06:15
He does. He passes it on the right.
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他躲過了，閃到右邊去
06:20
Third box is out. The fourth box is out.
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第三第四個箱子也出現了
06:23
And he's perfectly making his way between the two.
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他完美的從中間穿過
06:26
He's closing in on the van
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接近廂型車
06:28
to make the moving pass.
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然後超車
06:32
Well this is what it's all about,
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就是這麼回事
06:34
this kind of dynamic display of audacity and ingenuity.
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勇敢和創造力的展現
06:39
He's approaching the end of the run,
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現在他正接近終點
06:42
makes his way between the barrels that are set up there.
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躲開那些跑道上的桶子
06:47
(Honking)
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（鳴喇叭）
06:50
(Applause)
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（鼓掌）
06:56
Dennis Hong: I'm so happy for you.
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丹尼斯：我好高興
06:58
Mark's going to give me a ride back to the hotel.
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馬克會載我回旅館
07:00
Mark Riccobono: Yes.
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對
07:05
(Applause)
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（鼓掌）
07:14
DH: So since we started this project,
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丹尼斯：自從我們開始這項計畫以來
07:16
we've been getting hundreds of letters, emails, phone calls
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接到數以百計的信件、電子郵件和電話
07:19
from people from all around the world.
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從世界各地來的
07:21
Letters thanking us, but sometimes you also get funny letters like this one:
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感謝信，但有時候會收到一些有趣的像是
07:24
"Now I understand why there is Braille on a drive-up ATM machine."
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"我現在知道為什麼得來速提款機上會有點字了"
07:28
(Laughter)
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（眾笑）
07:30
But sometimes --
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但有時候
07:32
(Laughter)
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（眾笑）
07:34
But sometimes I also do get --
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有時候我也會收到
07:36
I wouldn't call it hate mail --
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不能說是黑特信
07:38
but letters of really strong concern:
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但卻表示強烈關注的
07:40
"Dr. Hong, are you insane,
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"洪博士你瘋了嗎
07:42
trying to put blind people on the road?
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讓盲人開車上路？
07:44
You must be out of your mind."
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你一定是發瘋了"
07:46
But this vehicle is a prototype vehicle,
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但這輛車其實只是原型車
07:48
and it's not going to be on the road
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也不會真正上路
07:50
until it's proven as safe as, or safer than, today's vehicle.
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直到確定它跟縣在的車輛一樣安全，甚至更安全
07:52
And I truly believe that this can happen.
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我真的相信有一天這回成真
07:55
But still, will the society,
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但是，社會大眾
07:57
would they accept such a radical idea?
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會接受這樣的想法嗎？
07:59
How are we going to handle insurance?
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我們該怎樣處理保險？
08:01
How are we going to issue driver's licenses?
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怎樣發駕照？
08:03
There's many of these different kinds of hurdles besides technology challenges
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除了技術挑戰以外，還有很多困難
08:06
that we need to address before this becomes a reality.
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必須在理想成真以前面對
08:09
Of course, the main goal of this project
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當然，這計畫的主要目標
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is to develop a car for the blind.
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是發展盲人用汽車
08:13
But potentially more important than this
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但比這個更有潛力的是
08:15
is the tremendous value of the spin-off technology
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相關科技的龐大價值
08:18
that can come from this project.
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從這個計畫中誕生
08:20
The sensors that are used can see through the dark,
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感應器能穿透黑暗
08:22
the fog and rain.
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大霧和雨
08:24
And together with this new type of interfaces,
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加上新式介面
08:26
we can use these technologies
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我們可以將這些科技
08:28
and apply them to safer cars for sighted people.
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應用在給明眼人開的車上，增加安全性
08:30
Or for the blind, everyday home appliances --
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或者給盲人，用在日常生活中
08:33
in the educational setting, in the office setting.
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在學校環境或辦公室裡
08:35
Just imagine, in a classroom a teacher writes on the blackboard
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你想，老師在教室裡的黑板上寫了東西
08:38
and a blind student can see what's written and read
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然後盲人學生可以看見老師寫的東西，並讀出來
08:41
using these non-visual interfaces.
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正是透過這些非視覺介面
08:43
This is priceless.
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這是無價之寶
08:46
So today, the things I've showed you today, is just the beginning.
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因此，我今天講得這些，只是一個開端而已
08:49
Thank you very much.
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非常感謝大家
08:51
(Applause)
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（鼓掌）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dennis Hong - RoboticistDennis Hong is the founder and director of RoMeLa -- a Virginia Tech robotics lab that has pioneered several breakthroughs in robot design and engineering.
Why you should listen
As director of a groundbreaking robotics lab, Dennis Hong guides his team of students through projects on robot locomotion and mechanism design, creating award-winning humanoid robots like DARwIn (Dynamic Anthropomorphic Robot with Intelligence). His team is known as RoMeLa (Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory) and operates at Virginia Tech.
Hong has also pioneered various innovations in soft-body robots, using a “whole-skin locomotion” as inspired by amoebae. Marrying robotics with biochemistry, he has been able to generate new types of motion with these ingenious forms. For his contributions to the field, Hong was selected as a NASA Summer Faculty Fellow in 2005, given the CAREER award by the National Science Foundation in 2007 and in 2009, named as one of Popular Science's Brilliant 10. He is also a gourmet chef and a magician, performing shows for charity and lecturing on the science of magic.
Dennis Hong | Speaker | TED.com