Vibrating Steering Wheel Could Guide Turn-by-Turn Directions

A new steering wheel design from AT&T Labs could decrease distracted driving.

Using haptic feedback, the wheel sends vibrations in different patterns to alert upcoming turns, though other features are under development, such as warning drivers of cars in their blind spots.

The prototype sends a clockwise pattern of vibrations to mean turn right, while counterclockwise means turn left. In collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, AT&T Labs found inattentiveness for drivers above the age of 65 dropped 4 percent when haptics were added to auditory instructions, MIT’s Technology Review reported.

The study will be presented in June at the Pervasive 2012 conference. Technology Review noted that an earlier study found drivers made fewer turn errors when guided by haptics. Listening to auditory instructions creates a cognitive burden that can further distract drivers.