New driver safety software from simulation technology company MOTUM Simulation is set to be taken to the next level, with the system receiving funding from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
As part of the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), the funding, in line with the federal government’s support, will allow a wide range of heavy vehicle virtual training tools to be developed.
The software platform, called MOTUM World, has been produced entirely in Australia and is a completely customisable software platform created exclusively with local conditions in mind.
“Extensive research has validated the effectiveness of simulators in driver training, and through MOTUM World, we have a platform that has been researched and developed locally for our specific conditions, improving safety outcomes for one of the highest-risk cohorts on our roads,” MOTUM Simulation managing director Steve Hoinville says.
“As simulation technology has improved in fidelity and cost, it is now a tool that can and should be accessible in all driver training scenarios, especially for those situations that are too dangerous to replicate in real life.
“Simulation-based training is the logical supplement to the traditional method. Countering the significant limitations of on-road training, MOTUM World offers cost-effective, repeatable, 100 per cent objective training that is totally risk-free.”
Hoinville says for this virtual training tool, a wide range of heavy vehicle options will be developed across the transport spectrum, encompassing smaller rigid trucks through to multi-combinations.
Furthermore, it is planned that each vehicle type can be fine-tuned for specific applications, such as differing weights and their relative positioning on the vehicle.
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As an extension of this, the driving dynamics of different load types will be recreated in the virtual training world, such as the carriage of liquids.
To develop MOTUM World for the heavy vehicle market, MOTUM is working closely with numerous industry stakeholders, such as the NHVR, Armstrong’s Driver Training, the Australian Driving Institute and Driver Safety Australia.
For MOTUM Simulation, the grant paves the way for widespread software adoption in a massive target market.
“It can be undertaken in any location, at any time, and it is not dependent on the availability of vehicle assets,” Hoinville says.
“While our company has roots in producing physical simulators, we identified a significant hole in the market for driver training software specifically developed for the needs of Australian drivers.
“With thanks to the NHVR and the HVSI, we can now work to produce vehicles, environment assets, training scenarios and associated hardware to include various heavy vehicle types.
“In the virtual environment, training scenarios can be tailored to improve safety outcomes across the board for all road users.”
NHVR corporate affairs executive director Michelle Tayler says the MOTUM is one of 16 organisations to receive funding as part of a $3.9 million investment in safety projects.
“We look forward to seeing the MOTUM World project come to life to boost heavy vehicle safety standards and practices,” she says.
“The HVSI grants program funds critical industry-led safety projects aimed at reducing road trauma and saving lives on Australia’s roads.”
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