Japan studies noisier hybrid cars to protect blind

Wednesday 09th September, 07:00 AM JST

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ca1ic0cat at 08:44 PM JST - 9th September

Japan does seem to go to a lot of lengths to protect the blind. A lot of other disabilities are swept under the carpet. Is there something in Japanese culture that favors the blind?

That asked, there is a problem with electric powered cars moving at city speeds. You can't hear them at all. So a sound making device would be interesting. But what sound? Danged if I know. But I bet it will be annoying!
USNinJapan2 at 09:56 PM JST - 9th September

This is stupid. A lot of recent gasoline powered cars are almost as quiet as hybrids especially if they're using 'sneaker' tires that are designed to reduce tire noise.
Betting at 12:39 AM JST - 10th September

To be truly eco and caring about the environment, I think they could actually do it on the cheap ... and copy from weddings!! A couple of pieces of sturdy string tied to the rear fender and a few (recyclable) aluminium cans tied to other end ... now that could make enough noise!!
Lowly at 01:34 AM JST - 10th September

I'm not blind, I am a sighted (sightful?) pedestrian and frequent bicycle rider and I am afraid of noiseless cars becoming more frequent.

They sneak up on you. That plus a drunk, or angry, or young impatient driver, or plus the pedestrian being distracted, and ... Nevermind being blind man. A ton of moving steel should make some noise.
PepinGalarga at 05:39 AM JST - 10th September

hey, what about the rights of blind AND deaf people??? they need to do something for them too!! haha.

okay, the idea does make some sense. I almost got run over by one of these silent hybrid cars a couple months back.
Smythe at 06:01 AM JST - 10th September

Any electrically powered car can be given something to add some sound to it that will warn those that are part blind, to being old, or the big one will be partially DEAF.

This is was a farming town now turning over to retired people & it is so common to have people driving on the sidewalks with these four wheeled invalid vehicles. Fortunately they are not fast, & people tend to be on the outlook for them. Still take the regular roads with bicycles, to scooters, to m/cs to petrol powered car & finally almost silent electric powered cars------that can be quite different for survival to those that are walking, crossing the street to J-walking, bicycle riding & so much more.
The758 at 10:30 AM JST - 10th September

I have almost perfect vision and I'm scared of these things. Coming down the street the Prius sounds like KITT or those aerial hunter-killer things from the Terminator.
USNinJapan2 at 12:30 PM JST - 10th September

Okay, how about something more than a survey or the personal opinions of 52 blind people? Before they even think about tinkering with hybrid vehicle designs they need to conduct a scientific study that demonstrates that the number of accidents involving pedestrians (blind or sighted), bicycles, etc. with vehicles has increased with the introduction/proliferation of hybrid vehicles and that the relationship is directly cause-and-effect.
Klein2 at 01:29 PM JST - 10th September

I think that they should make them loud enough that deaf people can hear them.
Klein2 at 01:31 PM JST - 10th September

This debate will come up again in 100 years, when Japan invents invisible cars.
presto345 at 10:18 PM JST - 10th September

This is stupid. A lot of recent gasoline powered cars are almost as quiet as hybrids especially if they're using 'sneaker' tires that are designed to reduce tire noise.

You have a point here.
Cliffy at 11:31 PM JST - 10th September

Simple, so what a kid does to make noises on their bicycle, clip a playing card :)
flammenwerfer at 10:11 AM JST - 11th September

musical sounds like a cell phone ring-tone

dear god nooooooooo! I am sorry blind people, but silent cars are marvellous things.
kokuryu at 02:56 AM JST - 12th September

Noise pollution is the second half of pollution that needs to be gotten rid of. Vehicles account for the large majority of that pollution. Noise pollution itself account for over 3% of all deaths, worldwide. Quieter vehicles will produce a less stressful society overall and save people's lives.
ferrarimanf355 at 12:58 PM JST - 14th September

The only hybrid I'd consider is something like a Camaro or Mustang. They burn gas, rubber, and in the case of the Camaro, the occasional Decepticon.