• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Why Car Engineers are Wearing Seat Covers

September 21, 2017 By Nadeem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - Why Car Engineers are Wearing Seat Covers

Remember the Virginia Tech researcher who caused confusion and panic in Arlington by dressing as a seat cover and driving a van around town? We now have more details on what he was doing.

The researcher was conducting a study on behalf of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and Ford Motor Company to see how people and self-driving cars will interact on the road, according to tech blog Wired.

“Today, subtle facial and body cues help drivers and walkers alike understand what moves cars will make next,” writes Wired. “A wave says, I see you—hit that crosswalk. A nod says, I see you—make that turn. A middle finger says, well—you know what it says. But how do you translate those communications once the driver is a robot?”

In lieu of those gestures, the researchers installed an illuminated bar above the van’s windshield that communicated to humans what the vehicle was going to do next. “Slow blinking meant, I’m stopping. Fast blinking meant, I’m starting. And a solid white light meant, I’m driving around all on my own,” writes Wired.

John Shutko, a Ford engineer, told Wired that at first people don’t understand what the light signals mean. However, virtual reality tests show that they quickly catch on.

In fact, Ford is working with 11 other automakers to create standard light signals for self-driving cars that will be easily understood across all cultures.

Anyway, back to the seat cover costume…

Ford and Virginia Tech needed the study to produce unbiased results. At the same time, they didn’t want to put a self-driving car with imperfect technology on the road. They compromised by stitching a seat cover costume that would allow a researcher to drive the car without being seen.

The following video provides more details on the study:

Isn’t science cool?

[Hat Tip: Chip Albright of Albright’s Supply]

Filed Under: Archive, Interesting Read, Odd News Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Autonomous Cars, Car Interior, Ford Motor Company, Seat Covers, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Keyston Bros
  • Albright's Supply
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Hyde Leather
  • Leather Craft

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Chevrolet Camaro Door Panel

Design Studio: 1967-69 Camaro Door Panel

You asked for it and we listened. Starting … [more] about Design Studio: 1967-69 Camaro Door Panel

Why I Build Miniature Car Seats

For the past few years, I’ve been … [more] about Why I Build Miniature Car Seats

Does Your Trim Shop Have a Slogan?

Does your auto trim shop have a slogan? If … [more] about Does Your Trim Shop Have a Slogan?

The Hog Ring - How to Sew a Double-Piped French Seam

How to Sew a Double-Piped French Seam

If you're as obsessed with decorative … [more] about How to Sew a Double-Piped French Seam

The Hog Ring - How to make a seat from scratch

How to Upholster a Car Seat From Scratch

Check out this awesome guide on how to … [more] about How to Upholster a Car Seat From Scratch

5 Items to Hang on Your Shop’s Walls

Most auto upholstery shops have front offices … [more] about 5 Items to Hang on Your Shop’s Walls

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Mercedes Reimagines Comfort with Custom Fit, 3D Printed Seat Pads
  • Wishing You a Happy Independence Day!
  • The Viral Headrest Gun Safe Is Going Nationwide with Tint World
  • TMG and Haartz to Open North Carolina Plant, Creating 125 New Jobs
  • Everything We Covered in June 2025

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in