Back when I was a young soldier, we had an expression to describe the crunching noise made when a 2 1/2 ton truck backed into the end of a loading dock (or tree, or jeep, etc.). We would observe the driver was "parking by braille".

Noise is a good indicator of the relative position of your vehicle to an object, but perhaps something more elegant is required.

The challenge is to create a device or system which will allow a blindfolded driver to manouver the vehicle through a course slightly wider than the car or truck, without scraping the sides or colliding with the wall. (A very motivated team could make the system input into the steering mechanism, so the blindfolded team member is along for the ride)[team members shouting instructions is not allowed].

Points for speed through the course (not too fast, of course), and points deducted for each scrape or crash. To make it really interesting, include a 3 point turn, so the system has to work for the front, back and sides.

The course can be laid out using concrete highway dividers, which will allow the producer to accomodate the size of whatever vehicle the team chooses.

Please note, no bulldozers or rocket powered cars

-- Arthur Majoor (a_majoor@hotmail.com), April 06, 2001

Answers

8 whip antennas all mounted horizontal would do the trick. put a string on them. Nope. I got it, we all find a laptop and a ton of proximoty sensors in the yard. Not that they would ever "salt" the yard. Could you give me 2 completely different ways to do this in under 10 hours. Also need 3 experts in the field. Could you come blindfold yourself and drive for us. I know Frank would do it, but I think we'd enjoy watching you show us how it's done!

-- Joey Falgout (Broadcast Junkies) (joeyinalexandria@hotmail.com), April 06, 2001.

1Reverse tiller steering on golf cart add rollers to wide cross bar. 2moped with front wheel replaced with large casters (2)set wide with rollers mounted out side of casters

-- Rob.Fitterling (rpfit@hotmail.com), April 06, 2001.

You could hang bells made of pipe on booms the right height to hit the concrete barriers. bells of different lengths would sound different so the driver would know which corner of the car was near a wall.

-- Chris Bridge (fishbulb@msa.attmil.ne.jp), June 28, 2001.