{"id":12017,"date":"2022-08-10T14:38:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T14:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scienceandnerds.com\/2022\/08\/10\/waymo-designed-new-features-to-improve-av-access-for-passengers-with-disabilities\/"},"modified":"2022-08-10T14:38:51","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T14:38:51","slug":"waymo-designed-new-features-to-improve-av-access-for-passengers-with-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceandnerds.com\/2022\/08\/10\/waymo-designed-new-features-to-improve-av-access-for-passengers-with-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Waymo designed new features to improve AV access for passengers with disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source: https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/8\/9\/23298488\/waymo-accessible-disability-dot-design-challenge-av<\/a>
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Waymo is introducing a raft of new features designed to make its fleet of autonomous taxis more accessible to passengers with visual impairments and other disabilities. <\/p>\n

The new features are sure to draw attention when they start hitting the streets. They include displaying the rider\u2019s initials on the rooftop dome as a visual way to identify their assigned vehicle at a near-to-medium distance. The display shows the user\u2019s customizable \u201cCar ID,\u201d which consists of two colored letters that can be configured via the Waymo app. <\/p>\n

Another feature offers turn-by-turn navigation to guide the rider on the most appropriate path to their awaiting robotaxi, utilizing data on sidewalks, crosswalks, and other terrain features to provide the most suitable route.<\/p>\n

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The Alphabet-owned company, which first demonstrated one of its autonomous vehicles publicly with a visually impaired man in the driver\u2019s seat back in 2015, says the new features were developed as part of Waymo\u2019s participation in the US Department of Transportation\u2019s first-ever Inclusive Design Challenge. And while the company didn\u2019t win the challenge (that honor went to Purdue University), Waymo decided to incorporate the new features into its Waymo One ride-hailing service that\u2019s currently operating in Arizona and California. <\/p>\n

\u201cWinning would have been nice,\u201d said Kevin Malta, a product manager at Waymo who led development for these features. But \u201cbuilding these features was always the primary aim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another interesting feature is aimed at passengers with visual impairments. In order to ensure they get in the right vehicle, the Waymo AV will emit a uniquely melodic chime to help direct them. Malta said that working with advocates from the blind and low-vision community helped develop a product that would be useful to riders while also keeping in mind the ill effects of noise pollution and aggressive honking.<\/p>\n

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