Ford engineers have created a simulator of the abstract driver

11 October 2017

Is it possible to do without a selfie behind the wheel?

It is no secret that one of the main causes of car accidents is inattention. Especially sharply this problem has risen in the last decade, when mobile phones have become ubiquitous. And if earlier people were only distracted for conversations and short messages, but now they need time to put a fresh selfie, comment on post or like. Ford engineers decided to demonstrate the consequences of such a rash behavior.

The specialists of "Blue oval" has teamed up with Google and virtual reality Studio Happy Finish. Together they have developed an app Ford Reality Check, which clearly shows how dangerous it can be smartphones. In this case, technology is used by Google to Daydream VR.

In the simulator played out the situation when the driver picks up friends along the way to the party. In the process of driving it is constantly distracted by phone calls, messages and talkative passengers. All this leads to a series of hazardous traffic situations, when life is literally hanging in the balance. For educational purposes the developers have programmed the fatal finale.

The organizers considered that virtual reality is an ideal medium to demonstrate all of the dangers that await the driver is not able to prioritize while driving. The influence of mobile gadgets especially strongly affected the younger generation, which often underestimates the seriousness of the situation. 

About 90% of the subjects stated that they will revise the style of their driving after simulation. I only wish that all drivers are not forced to undergo a test in virtual reality.