Ep 14. Blind Driving

The show MythBusters is a popular science television program that features special effects experts and scientists Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. The duo puts myths to the test by applying scientific methods, proving or debunking urban legends, and challenging misconceptions.

In Season 6 Episode 14, named Blind Driving, the MythBusters team takes on the challenge of driving while blindfolded. The question they set out to answer is whether a person can drive a car while completely blind. This is a dangerous myth that many people believe, and the team wants to prove if it's true or not.

To start the experiment, Adam and Jamie create a driving course with obstacles such as cones and barriers. They also install cameras, sensors, and audio equipment inside the car to record the blind-driving event. The team then invites two volunteers, both of whom are legally blind, to drive the car with the help of a co-driver.

The first blind volunteer takes the wheel while his co-driver sits in the front passenger seat, giving him verbal instructions on when to turn and how to navigate the course. At first, the volunteer seems to do well, following the co-driver's instructions and avoiding the obstacles. However, he soon begins to drift off course and hits a cone.

Adam and Jamie conclude that driving blind is not safe and should never be attempted, even with a co-driver's guidance. They conduct further tests using a driving simulator to see if there are any conditions in which driving blind could be possible. They expose the simulated drivers to various scenarios, such as driving straight, turning, and navigating through a roundabout, all while wearing a blindfold. The team records the eye movements of the drivers during the tests and discovers that even experienced drivers with years of experience cannot drive blind without risking a crash.

After these initial tests, the team decides to see if technology can enhance the safety of blind driving. They construct a custom vehicle equipped with sensors, cameras, and a GPS system that feeds information directly into a driver's helmet, allowing them to "see" the road from different angles. The vehicle is also fitted with a braking system that is activated when the vehicle reaches a certain speed. The team invites a legally blind volunteer to test the technology.

The blind driver sets off on the course with a co-driver guiding him. With the help of the helmet's camera and the brakes, the blind driver successfully navigates the course while avoiding the obstacles. Adam and Jamie conclude that while the technology is impressive, it still does not make driving while blind safe or advisable. They warn that blind driving is never a good idea and can lead to serious accidents.

In the episode's final segment, the team looks into a popular myth that claims blind people can navigate using echolocation, like bats. They invite expert Daniel Kish, who lost his sight when he was young and has since developed a form of echolocation. He demonstrates his ability to use clicks from his mouth to detect his surroundings. Adam and Jamie put this to the test by creating a room filled with obstacles and challenges Daniel to navigate his way through without touching anything, solely relying on his echolocation. Daniel successfully completes the challenge, proving that the human brain is capable of adapting to different senses.

In conclusion, MythBusters Season 6 Episode 14, Blind Driving, tests the myth that a person can drive safely while completely blind. The team conducts several experiments, tests various technologies, and ultimately concludes that driving while blind is not safe and should never be attempted. The episode also explores the idea of echolocation and how humans can adapt to different senses. Overall, the episode is a fascinating study of the human body and how myths and misconceptions can be debunked through science and experimentation.