Skip to main content

TRL launches VR blind spot detector

UK-based research establishment TRL has launched a blind spot simulator rig which uses virtual reality to improve truck cab design, road layouts and improve the safety of road users and reduce costs for designers. The precision of the system is based on a physical rig developed by TRL and Volvo. It ensures an accurate representation of direct vision from a real-life Volvo vehicle cab which allows seat, steering and wheel adjustments to be replicated for each driver.
October 6, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

UK-based research establishment 491 TRL has launched a blind spot simulator rig which uses virtual reality to improve truck cab design, road layouts and improve the safety of road users and reduce costs for designers.

The precision of the system is based on a physical rig developed by TRL and 609 Volvo. It ensures an accurate representation of direct vision from a real-life Volvo vehicle cab which allows seat, steering and wheel adjustments to be replicated for each driver. The VR experience is then reconfigured to reflect their physical dimensions and individual seat positions - which results in an accurate replication of driving a real vehicle.

Ceki Erginbas, senior researcher at TRL, said: "With this calibrated system, we can accurately test new vehicles or road environment designs, without the need to physically build them. We can also accurately recreate traffic accidents, from the viewpoint of different people located at the scene.  

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ITE: position statement on C/AVs following fatal crash in Arizona
    April 4, 2018
    A strong government role remains critical to ensuring that the deployment of connected and automated vehicles (C/AVs) improves the quality of lives for all citizens – according to the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). The Washington DC-based company’s new position statement has been published following the fatal crash involving a self-driving car in Arizona and the rapid development of the technology. ITE highlighted that governments must provide the regulatory oversight to ensure that C/AV test
  • Volvo Trucks develops I-See to save fuel
    June 28, 2012
    Volvo Trucks has announced it has developed I-See, which operates like an autopilot and takes over gear-changing and utilises gradients to save fuel. The system, which will be available on the market next year, is linked to the transmission’s tilt sensor and obtains information about the topography digitally. The fact that the system is not dependent on maps makes it more dependable since it always obtains the very latest information. I-See can recall about 4,000 gradients, corresponding to a distance of 5,
  • Autonomous driving – what can we really expect?
    June 6, 2016
    Dave Marples of Technolution BV looks beyond the hype to the practical implementation of autonomous vehicles. Having looked at the development of this sector for some time, I am concerned about the current state of autonomous driving development as engineering (and marketing) have run way ahead of the wider systemic, and legislative, requirements to support an autonomous future.
  • Traffic cameras embrace AI
    December 19, 2022
    Artificial intelligence is spreading into many aspects of mobility – but what about traffic management and enforcement cameras? ITS International invited a few vision experts to ponder a couple of leading questions…