24 April 2018

ACT Government is spending $1.3 million on driverless car trial... you could take part

| Tim Benson
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Canberra business, Seeing Machines is conducting a trial, called CAN Drive, to test how quickly a driver can be ready to resume control of an automated vehicle.

Canberra business, Seeing Machines is conducting a trial, called CAN Drive, to test how quickly a driver can be ready to resume control of an automated vehicle.

The ACT Government is spending $1.3 million with, much awarded Canberra business, Seeing Machines, on a trial, called CAN Drive, to test how quickly a driver can be ready to resume control of an automated vehicle.

The trial will take place at Canberra’s Sutton Driver Training track, and you may be able to participate in it – *see the end of this article for details.

Seeing Machines, employs around 200 Canberrans, and is is a world leader in decoding the interaction between people and machines, which is a critical piece of the puzzle as automated vehicles are further developed.

“This trial is unique in focusing on the people inside the car, not the cars and their outward facing sensors,” Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, said yesterday.

Seeing Machines Chairman Ken Kroeger said The data we collect in trials such as CAN Drive is critical to advancing safety of communities all around the world.

“The continued support of the ACT Government helps Seeing Machines sustain its leadership position as we develop our core technology to meet the needs of our partners, customers and stakeholders,” Mr Kroeger said.

Minister Stephen-Smith said there was huge potential for the community to benefit from automated vehicles, by improving road safety, reducing traffic congestion and opening up personal transport to people who aren’t currently able to drive.

“Despite the promise of this technology, we’re still a long way off completely automated vehicles, but Canberra is getting on the front foot: testing it, taking a different view of what safety looks like, and learning and applying our experiences with it,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

*If you have a valid driver’s licence and a good driving record, email marketing@seeingmachines.com to express your interest in participating in Canberra’s ‘CAN Drive’ trial.

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$1.3 million from a local government that is increasing rates and with an under-performing/struggling health system? I can understand a small investment but $1.3 million? What is the payback/benefit to the people of Canberra? How was this $1.3 million dollars awarded to the company? How was it decided that this money was best spent in this way?

the ACT is a State/Territory level government. we don’t have Local Government in the ACT. The payback is investing in the tech sector for future industries will benefit the ACT through seeding an industry that may provide employment and will probably grow. this is a smart investment.

Capital Retro10:43 am 27 Apr 18

I agree. Why are we speculating on what may give a return “tomorrow” and what guarantee is there that the company involved will re-invest in Canberra given their global reach?

We need to be spending on real problems like the failed health system, not pet projects that “may provide employment”

As usual the opposition is “asleep at the wheel”.

Capital Retro3:41 pm 24 Apr 18

Sounds like “A Better Place” 2.0

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