AT&T Labs has created a steering wheel prototype that vibrates to give you navigation cues so you can keep your eyes on the road.
The wheel sends the driver vibrations in a clockwise motion to indicate a right turn, and in a counter clockwise pattern to indicate a left turn. These are called “haptic” controls. The steering wheel has 20 built-in actuators, which can be used to create other signals. It may signal if someone is in your blind spot, for example.
AT&T in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University studied the effectiveness of the controls and found they reduced distracted driving by 3 to 4 percent.
The findings will be presented at a conference this June.
See the full story here.
We’ve seen some other high tech steering wheels prototypes here and here.
As for haptic controls on the steering wheel, they are already turning up in luxury vehicles.
Source: Technology Review
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