[nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Tue Apr 16 00:14:33 UTC 2013

Hello Arielle and everyone,

    Particularly if the person operating the Google car would need to take 
over its control in an emergency. Since the technology to allow a blind 
person to drive independently why should we be left out.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

I believe that Mark Riccobono has attended meetings with Google and
the NFB at least seems to be supporting the Google technology as well
as the Blind Driver Challenge technology. I think that both pursuits
can be worthwhile in different ways, but as far as actually driving
goes, I agree that the Google car is likely to be more affordable, and
more widely accepted in society. But the nonvisual technology being
developed by NFB in partnership with Virginia Tech engineers could
also be promising as a backup platform for the car, or in other
situations.
Arielle

On 4/15/13, Sophie Trist <sweetpeareader at gmail.com> wrote:
> Joshua, the NFB car requires intricate vests and lots of other
> complex equipment. The google car offers us the option of driving
> an autonomous vehicle without all the excess gear. Blind people
> have enough baggage as is. We don't need special driving clothes.
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joshua Lester <JLester8462 at pccua.edu
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:49:18 +0000
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> It was on the runway at Daytona, two years ago.
> The car should be out by 2016.
> Blessings, Joshua
> ________________________________________
> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Sophie
> Trist [sweetpeareader at gmail.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 6:44 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> Joshua, I guess I can't talk much about this since I never
> actually saw the NFB car in action, but from what I've heard,
> that autonomous vehicle was a bit disappointing. Besides, I've
> only heard about it one time, at convention a few years ago.
> Since then, nothing has been heard of the NFB car--it's just
> disappeared. Right now, the google car is looking a lot more
> promising. I support the NFB to my core, but if there's another
> product that serves better than an NFB product (like a Revolution
> cane, for example) I won't hesitate to get it. Also, I have one
> question about the google cars. Do they run on gas or
> electricity?
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joshua Lester <JLester8462 at pccua.edu
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:25:35 +0000
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> Wow, Peter!
> Like minds huh?
> I just posted this same link on here a few minutes ago!
> Thanks, Joshua
> ________________________________________
> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Peter
> Donahue [pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com]
> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 5:23 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> Good afternoon one more time everyone,
>
>     Better yet visit http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org
>
>     There's lots of information about our efforts to develop this
> technology
> along with videos showing a blind person driving the car on the
> track at
> Daytona Beach. The technology and the possibilities have all
> ready been
> demonstrated. I also understand that several blind individuals
> have driven
> the car on the streets of Baltimore with success.We all need to
> unite and
> work with whomever will partner with us be it Google or someone
> else to
> insure that any self-driving vehicle that is developed is
> controllable by a
> blind person and that our right to operate such vehicles is
> protected. We
> don't need the very people who stand to benefit from the freedom
> and
> empowerment such a vehicle could give us undermining such a noble
> initiative.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Nusbaum" <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 2:36 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
>
> Amen, Patrick!
>
> Chris Nusbaum, Co-Chair
> Public Relations Committee
> Maryland Association of Blind Students
> Phone: (443) 547-2409
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Patrick Molloy
> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 3:27 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> I'm sorry Ashley, but I completely and wholeheartedly disagree
> with you.
> When NTSB executives are saying that autonomous cars are the way
> to go,
> don't you think they deserve some credence? I honestly lost faith
> in the NFB
> car. Sure it was "made for blind people," but you barely ever saw
> the thing!
> If you're going to make a car for the blind, don't hide it away
> from the
> public and then give no explanation when it essentially
> disappears. I'm not
> saying that the Google car would be perfect. I'm not fooling
> myself with
> that idea. But, I think that the technology is really impressive
> and, with
> some modifications, it will be great for blind people. But hey!
> If you want
> to always wait around for a driver, or a bus, or paratransit,
> more power to
> you. It just seems like this all runs counter to the philosophy
> that many
> people within the NFB preach daily. As for your arguments as to
> why blind
> people shouldn't drive, I think if you read the articles about
> the potential
> of autonomous cars, you'll find most if not all of your fears
> more or less
> assuaged. Just because something SEEMS difficult is no reason for
> us blind
> people to avoid it like the plague. That would be ridiculous! If
> I decide
> not to get this car, it would only be after I'd tried it out and
> found it
> not to my liking. Since the NFB car is more or less dead, I feel
> that we as
> blind people have a responsibility to get behind the Google car
> in one way
> or another.
> Isn't that what the NFB always says? That they're there for blind
> people
> when we need something? Well, we need to get around and we're
> tired of
> waiting like kids for our parents to pick us up from soccer
> practice! If
> we're going to be independent, successful individuals, then we
> should have
> the right to get around just like our sighted colleagues.
> Separate is not
> equal in this case. You may never drive this thing, and you may
> think it
> ridiculous, but I highly encourage people like yourself and Carly
> to at
> least consider the point of view of those of us who want to drive
> like our
> brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. You may think us
> self-serving,
> but doesn't that make sighted people self-serving? I mean, they
> can take a
> bus too! The issue here is choice. We shouldn't HAVE to take a
> bus if we
> don't want to wait 2 hours. Now, if it's a nice day and you've
> got time to
> kill, hey! Spend 5 hours going to the doctor! But we should have
> the same
> freedom that all sighted people have. With that freedom will come
> the
> realization that blind people can do the same things as sighted
> people.
> Patrick
>
> On 4/14/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>  Hi all,
>  I haven't read all this thread much. But from what I read, it
> seems
>  like you
>
>  all believe the car would provide more transit options and you'd
> buy
>  one if
>
>  given a choice.
>
>  I know the problems in the bus system; I've seen them and ridden
>  paratransit
>
>  and felt its impact of unreliability and lateness.
>  That said, I think other methods of travel are more efficient
> and safe.
>  Things like cabs, car pools, getting rides with friends when you
> want
>  to hang out, and hiring a driver would be better.
>
>  I do not support blind people driving because we cannot see to
>  override the
>
>  car.
>  I have to agree with the individual that said that having a car
> is
>  self serving. We are putting other lives at risk.
>  We face many obstacles on the rode like other cars wipping in
> front of
>  us when its not their turn; cars inching along not going the
> speed
>  limit and you got to move around them, waiting for pedestrians
> to
>  walk, rode rage, and
>
>  drunk drivers.
>  Without vision, we cannot! intervene the computerized car to
> override
>  it when obstacles arise.
>  I cannot tell you how many times my parents slammed on the
> brakes due
>  to some driver wipping out in front of them, drivers who
> unexpectedly
>  turn without turning on their turn signal like their supposed
> to,
>  pedestrians who
>
>  are still walking across the street when the orange don't walk
> signal
>  is on
>
>  thus making cars wait, having to swerve around bicyclists, and
>  distracted drivers on cell phones.
>  All these obstacles create hazards which a human driver with
> eyes
>  needs to see and make a quick judgement and use reflexes to act
> upon
>  unexpected hazards.
>
>  So, yeah, when you all can afford a new google car, go right
> ahead and
>  you never know who might be hurt if you even get a license. I
> just
>  don't want to
>
>  be on the road with you.
>
>  I think the nfb car sounded safer and it was built for blind
> people,
>  but we
>
>  abandoned that project, probably cause of money.
>  Ashley
>
>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: Kaiti Shelton
>  Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 12:08 PM
>  To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>  Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
>  I don't see it as self-serving either... in my experience with
> buses I
>  have to agree with Sophie here.  Plus, some parts of town that I
> need
>  to go either aren't served by buses, or take a really long time
> to get
>  to which sometimes involves going in the opposite way of the
>  destination for a while and then circling back because of
> Dayton's bus
>  system.  (It's organized by buses going north-south and
> east-west, but
>  sometimes when you're at a stop the time of the bus won't tell
> you if
>  the bus is going north or south, or east or west so you have to
> roll
>  with it.  I'd much rather just get into a car and drive than
> boomerang
>  around the city just to get to one place, and then do it again
>  returning to school.  And because of this, and the fact that it
> the
>  bus system isn't exactly equivalent to a car, I don't consider
> it
>  self-serving either.  I have no problem in supporting it and
> other
>  programs of public transit for people who can't drive a car,
> which
>  more often are people who are low income, have a suspended
> license, or
>  who are inner-city, or elderly than blind, but if I and other
> blind
>  people can afford a car and want one I don't see anything
> self-serving
>  in that, it's just doing what is most efficient.  I actually
> think not
>  taking advantage of this opportunity on the basis that the less
> than
>  efficient public transit systems work fine and that other people
> can
>  use the money or whatever that would go into buying this car
> would be
>  like saying you'd pass up going to college even though you could
>  because other people can be served by your tuition money, and
> the high
>  school diploma would serve you just fine.  It's more efficient,
> so why
>  not do it?
>
>  Sophie, I too see it more as an investment in independence.  :)
>
>  On 4/14/13, Robert William Kingett <kingettr at gmail.com> wrote:
>  Im buying this damn car the first chance I get. I'd rather be
> self
>  serving and frivolous and drive to some place within 20 minutes
>  instead of sitting on the bus for three hours, or more,
> depending on
>  if the driver didn't call my stop and I'd be riding extra long.
> Here
>  in chicagothat isn't a problem but I used to live in Tallahassee
> FL
>  where there was no automated system to tell you where you were.
> So
>  yes, I'd much rather be self serving and save up. Besides, as I
> have
>  said before in a previous message, this technology is driving
> along
>  the streets of Nevada. I'm so excited that I'm even grinning and
>  daydreaming about driving along side of a bus, and happy that
> I'm
>  frivolous enough to pay for a self serving device that will
> allowfor
>  me to get to the office quicker, or to an interview on time,
> thus
>  allowing me to have greater chances to pay my taxes so you other
> non
>  self serving blind people can take the bus. I think it's a neat
>  little circle of irony, don't you think? LOL!
>
>
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>
>  --
>  Kaiti
>
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