Deakin's virtual reality expertise selected to create new driver education campaign

The #GetTruckWise campaign is aimed at young drivers and their behaviour around trucks. At the time of the announcement in June, Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke said Deakin’s CADET VR Lab was selected for 'its expertise in creating immersive and engaging experiences after a competitive tender process'.

Associate Professor Ben Horan from Deakin’s School of Engineering and Director of the CADET VR Lab, said they were delighted to be involved in the important awareness campaign.

‘This is a very exciting project where we can take full advantage of using Virtual Reality and 360 degree video to help immerse young drivers in virtually replicate real-life scenarios.

‘On our proposed roadshows, participants will wear headsets to enter virtual scenarios designed to provide a real sense of what it’s like from a truck driver’s point of view. We want them to understand the challenges that heavy vehicle drivers face, with the hope that this contributes to changing the way they interact with heavy vehicles on our roads,’ Associate Professor Horan said.

The #GetTruckWise campaign is not the first project with a focus on driver safety the CADET VR Lab team has worked on. The CADET VR Lab team also collaborated with aged care provider McLean Care to develop ‘Hector VR’, a mixed reality driving simulator for older drivers. Earlier this year, the project won the Innovation of the Year – Technology award at the 7th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards.

Read more about #GetTruckWise in the City of Greater Bendigo media release.