Cruise is sponsoring a blind man’s try and set a world pace file as a technique to promote the potential for autonomous-vehicle expertise to assist visually impaired individuals get round extra simply.

Race automotive driver Dan Parker, who misplaced his sight in 2012, goals to interrupt the Guinness World Report for “quickest pace for a automotive pushed blindfolded.” The file of 200.5 mph belongs to Mike Newton of the UK.

“The way forward for autonomous automobiles is making the world extra accessible for blind drivers like Dan, who need to have the ability to get round on this planet on their very own phrases,” Rob Grant, Cruise’s senior vice chairman of presidency affairs and social impression, mentioned in an announcement.

“Transportation stays one of many areas the place blind People face the best obstacles to participation, and Cruise’s mission is to rework the issues in our present transportation system that are not accessible or inclusive by creating new alternatives for all.”

However Parker will not be in an autonomous car throughout his try to interrupt the file.

He’ll be driving his 800-hp Chevrolet Corvette, which has a customized steering system that gives audible suggestions. He’s the primary blind individual to independently drive a car 50 mph, 100 mph and 150 mph, in line with the Nationwide Federation of the Blind, which is selling Parker’s effort as a part of its ongoing Blind Driver Problem.

“In fact, for me the blindfold won’t be needed,” Parker mentioned. “My 2008 Corvette is a purpose-built race automotive and I designed each facet of it. With the work of the Blind Driver Problem, we won’t solely reveal {that a} blind individual can drive a car safely, however that we are able to do it at over 200 mph. Collectively we hope to encourage blind individuals and to reveal our capability, make historical past by setting a brand new world file and present the potential of recent expertise like self-driving vehicles to assist blind individuals break boundaries in on a regular basis mobility.”