Video: Chevrolet Volt will make ‘chirping’ sound to alert blind pedestrians

Posted: Nov 25, 2009

Filed under: 2011 Releases, Chevrolet, GM, Hybrids, Green News, Industry News, Videos

Chevrolet Volt Blind Pedestrian Test

General Motors and the National Federation of the Blind are cooperating are teaming up to identify a safe level of sound to alert pedestrians without sight that a silent-running electric or hybrid vehicle is present.

“We are confident electric vehicles can produce a safe and acceptable level of sound to alert blind pedestrians to their presence,” said John Paré, NFB executive director of strategic initiatives. “We look forward to working with Chevrolet and GM to identify an appropriate sound that will alert pedestrians in the most effective and least disruptive way possible.”

Several NFB members recently experienced a demo of the pedestrian warning alert on a pre-production Chevrolet Volt driven at various speeds by chief engineer Andrew Farah. While visiting GM’s Milford Proving Ground, they evaluated the “chirp” alert from the front, sides and rear of the car.

You can check out a video of their experience after the jump.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Chevrolet Voltage

gojira

I hope it is not a bird chirping sound bc then wouldn't they just think that a bird is near by ... ?

zermatt

I don't believe that the blind will have anything to fear from the Vapor, but the Nissan LEAF (frog) is another issue.

As we can clearly see, the Vapor PR team is working overtime.

This is just in: the Chevrolet Vapor will be one of the one of the "cartoon character" balloons in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Vapor engineering chief, Rex Worthless, said "Since the Vapor concept is really full of hot air it is perfect for the parade." In other Vapor news, in a surprise move Notre Dame has named the Vapor as head football coach replacing embattled coach Charlie Weis. Athletic director Jack Swarbrick was quoted as saying "this won't make things any worse than they are now."