Demo planned for car operated by blind motorist

Could a blind person drive a car? Researchers are trying to make that far-flung vision a reality.

The National Federation of the Blind and Virginia Tech plan to demonstrate a prototype vehicle next year equipped with technology that helps a blind person drive a car independently.

The technology, called nonvisual interfaces, uses sensors to let a blind driver maneuver a car based on information transmitted to them about their surroundings: whether another car or object is nearby, in front of them or in a neighboring lane.

Advocates for the blind consider it a "moon shot," a goal similar to President John F. Kennedy's pledge to land a man …