SimDrive Simulator World-Class
After a recent trip to the UK, SimDrive’s William de Hamel is delighted with the response to the New Zealand developed SimDrive Driving Simulator. Meeting with driving schools, training organisations, simulator manufacturers and the Transport Research Labs proved that the SimDrive Simulator features a world-class driving environment, thanks to the work of Animation Research Ltd (ARL) of Dunedin.
SimDrive Ltd is pioneering “Driver Training and Testing” simulators throughout New Zealand; the support from the driving industry and road safety experts is huge and there is also a high level of interest from young drivers wanting to learn to drive in a simulated environment. The simulators use real-car consoles, and provide 180° projected vision of photo realistic NZ streets and roads.
Working from a detailed specification as to the street environment and hundreds of location photos showing details of houses and shops in Auckland suburb Mt Eden, Animation Research constructed a Photo-Real Driving Environment including everything from council rubbish bins, to trees and parked cars. The finished result is a New Zealand looking-and-feeling urban landscape that drivers recognise and perform well within.
Recent US research shows the link between simulator use and lower crash rates is most evident with the use of ‘wide field of view’ simulators – rather than a single-screen simulators. SimDrive uses 180° of projected scenery, so that headsearching left and right is required. SimDrive simulators are developed to teach what good instructors would teach if it was safe to do so – for instance, what happens when you follow too close behind another vehicle.
Maurice Williamson – the Opposition Spokesperson for Transport, who test drove SimDrive recently stated “The concept of a simulator is perfect for young people learning a complex and dangerous set of tasks – in a safe and forgiving environment. It is not just clear roads, and easy driving – other traffic must be allowed for. This teaches all the basic concepts in an environment where mistakes aren’t fatal,” commented Mr Williamson, who is keen to have more use of simulators in driver training and testing.
For more information, visit www.simdrive.co.nz