Ford has announced a prototype smart car window, which it says will enable the blind or partially-sighted people to visualise passing scenery through touch.
The smart window named Feel the View takes pictures that are turned into high-contrast monochrome images. These are then reproduced on the glass using special LEDs.
By touching the image, different shades of grey vibrate with a range of 255 intensities, allowing passengers to touch the scene and rebuild in their mind the landscape in front of them.
The smart window was conceived and developed by Ford in Italy and GTB Roma, in collaboration with Aedo - an Italian start-up that specialises in devices for the visually impaired.
Kuda Takura, Ford Motor Company of South Africa spokesperson says: "We seek to make people's lives better and this was a fantastic opportunity to help blind passengers experience a great aspect of driving. The technology is advanced, but the concept is simple - and could turn mundane journeys into truly memorable ones."
Ford says for now, the technology is an early prototype, with no current plans for production.
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