MOTUM World’s driver safety training software is one of 16 projects to share in $3.9 million from the latest round of the tax-payer funded Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) HVSI, supported by the Australian Government, funds projects designed to deliver tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety.
Since the program was launched in 2016, the Australian Government has invested over $41 million across 169 HVSI projects – across nine rounds. The value of the grant provided for each individual project however is not disclosed.
MOTUM World is a customisable software platform created for local conditions. It’s produced in Australia by the MOTUM Simulation team.
For this virtual training tool, MOTUM World will develop a wide range of heavy vehicle options, from smaller rigid trucks through to multi-combinations.
The plan is that each vehicle type can be fine-tuned for specific applications, such as differing weights and their relative positioning on the vehicle.
As an extension of this, the driving dynamics of different load types – such as liquids – will be recreated too. 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.
“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,” said Steve Hoinville, MOTUM Simulation Managing Director.
“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.
“It can be undertaken in any location, at any time, and it is not dependent on the availability of vehicle assets.”
Steve says that while MOTUM has roots in producing physical simulators, it identified a gap 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,” he added.
“In the virtual environment, training scenarios can be tailored to improve safety outcomes across the board for all road users.”
MOTUM World’s functionality includes a full 360-degree view and the surround sounds from the synthetic MOTUM World environment, high visual realism of the surroundings and situations, plus the vehicles are kinematically and dynamically accurate to the real-life vehicle models, meaning they respond accurately to driver inputs.
VR headsets provide support for drivers to turn their heads up to 180 degrees for reversing, plus left-right checks at intersections and lane changes.
In combination with a MOTUM True Motion Simulator, a full range of sensations can be provided to drivers, such as road surface changes, cornering and braking forces, or when there is a loss of traction.
Additionally, the program has the potential to be used as a broader training tool, allowing passenger vehicle drivers to experience the challenges faced by heavy vehicle drivers.
To date, MOTUM World has been developed for a range of applications, from learner drivers to underground mining machinery, emergency services, and training stevedores in roll-on roll-off vehicle operations at ports. The program is adaptable to practically any vehicle and environment type.
Continual improvement and expansion of the platform has included integrating AI-driven elements, to provide a dynamic and immersive training experience.
For trainers, a range of dedicated telemetry metrics is recorded for analysis, while instructors can also tailor scenarios, including testing driver responsiveness, awareness, and defensive skills under various road and weather conditions.
NHVR Executive Director Corporate Affairs Michelle Tayler said, “The HVSI grants program funds critical industry-led safety projects aimed at reducing road trauma and saving lives on Australia’s roads.”
“We look forward to seeing the MOTUM World project come to life to boost heavy vehicle safety standards and practices.”
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