Kia Allows Blind Passengers to Experience What Others Can Only Visualize | Carscoops

      This is one of the numerous ways technology can enhance future journeys for everyone

       14 hours ago

      

      

      

      

       by Thanos Pappas

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       Kia Europe has undertaken an intriguing experiment for passengers with visual impairments.

      An AI-supported interface produces a dynamic soundtrack influenced by the scenery and speed.

      The Kia Soundscapes was tested in real-world conditions, but is not intended for commercial release.

      What if you couldn't see the landscape outside your window during a road trip, yet could still feel it? For many visually impaired people, road trips are experienced through the narration of a driver or fellow passenger describing the sights. However, Kia is trying a different method, merging technology with creativity to make the in-car experience more engaging and potentially even emotional.

      In addition: Forza Breaks Barriers With ‘Blind Driving Assists’ For Visually Impaired Gamers

      The automaker recently unveiled an AI-driven concept known as Kia Soundscapes, which transforms landscapes into auditory experiences. Developed in partnership with the marketing agency Innocean, the initiative seeks to provide visually impaired passengers with an innovative way to experience travel by using sound to evoke visuals.

      This concept isn't solely poetic; there's scientific backing to it. Research has indicated that music can activate the visual cortex in blind individuals' brains, the area typically responsible for processing visual stimuli. This knowledge inspired Kia to create a sound system where each component of the surrounding landscape is represented by its unique sonic identity. Elements like trees, mountains, rocks, and water were converted into bespoke audio cues using studio-crafted sounds.

      Sound That Paints a Picture

      The objects are identified by the vehicle's multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors, with a specialized AI interface producing a soundtrack that dynamically adapts to the changing scenery. For instance, soft woodwind instruments signify trees and bushes, while deep resonant tones represent mountains. Additionally, the tempo and tone of the music vary based on the vehicle's speed.

      To see how this might work in reality, Kia collaborated with two visually impaired individuals, Anne and Danny. They were taken on scenic drives in the all-electric EV9, during which the AI-generated soundtrack played in real time. While its practicality outside of a controlled environment remains uncertain, both participants seemed genuinely touched by the experience.

      David Hilbert, Marketing Director at Kia Europe, stated: “With Kia Soundscapes, we are investigating how technology can remove barriers and help create a more inclusive and accessible world.”

      So far, Kia has produced two short videos documenting the test drives and intends to share the original compositions produced during the journeys on a dedicated website. Regrettably, the company clarified that Kia Soundscapes is an “artistic experiment and not a commercial feature.” Nevertheless, one could argue that the potential of AI will lead to significant enhancements in the experiences of drivers and passengers, including those who are visually impaired, in the near future.