Researchers are developing an autonomous vehicle for people with Parkinson’s disease

For some people with Parkinson’s, managing regular visits to healthcare professionals may prove challenging. Now, researchers from the University of Michigan, US, are developing an autonomous vehicle prototype designed specifically to help those living with the condition.

Autonomous vehicles are defined by what a driver is exempt from doing in safety-critical situations, including braking and steering.

“A recurring theme that has come up is that people with Parkinson’s disease have different lifestyles, but they share the desire to carry out tasks independently,” said Nathaniel Miller, associate professor of psychology at the University of Michigan-Flint, in a press release.

To help address this issue, the project – currently in the early stages – will involve creating simulated driving scenarios in labs to inform the prototype car’s design. The researchers hope to understand which vehicle features people with Parkinson’s prefer, how to reduce barriers to entering and exiting cars and how to improve general safety.

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