Skip to main content RSS Info Close Search Facebook Twitter
Location
Category
Providers / Vacancies
Feedback

Virtual reality technology trial takes off

A new virtual reality technology targeting older Australian drivers has kicked into its next gear following the commencement of projects trial in New South Wales.

<p>New virtual reality technology is helping older Australian drivers (Source: Shutterstock)</p>

New virtual reality technology is helping older Australian drivers (Source: Shutterstock)

The project called Hector VR, the Virtual Reality Driving Simulator for Older Drivers, developed by aged care provider McLean Care in partnership with Deakin University’s School of Engineering and funded by a Federal Government grant scheme, uses the virtual reality technology to check the driving skills of senior Australians to improve road safety.

The trial, which is confined to the Invernell district of New South Wales, is focusing on people between 70 and 80 years of age.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt says the technology is a “groundbreaking innovation” that enables senior Australians to “live longer, better lives”.

“Hector VR supports people to maintain their proficiency on the road and can be used to test driving skills, to help them decide if they should stay behind the wheel,” he explains.

“The thought of giving up your licence and the extra independence that comes with driving yourself can be daunting for people as they age, particularly for those in rural and regional areas.

“However, we have to make sure it is safe for them to keep driving and this technology will help with that potentially life saving decision.”

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has acknowledged the technology that has gone into the virtual reality project – noting the detail of the driving simulator contained in the shell of a Holden Captiva to “increase the sense of reality for drivers”.

“Sensors are also installed which measure the driver’s reaction times and heart rate to assess their responses to a variety of situations that can arise when driving,” he says.

“In addition to helping older drivers maintain and test their skills, Hector VR is designed to help those with medical conditions, such as dementia and who can no longer drive, to re-live the driving experience.

“The virtual driving scenarios are modelled on the township of Inverell including important local buildings, major shopping centres, retail outlets and landmarks to make the user’s experience as realistic as possible.

“The simulator includes differing road environments and realistic scenarios such as country driving and various levels of traffic.”

Minister Wyatt has congratulated McLean Care and Deakin University on “this exciting project” which he says is already attracting national and international attention.

Share this article

Read next

Subscribe

Subscribe to our Talking Aged Care newsletter to get our latest articles, delivered straight to your inbox
  1. Eighty years after getting married, this couple lives together...
  2. Who says your age should limit your dreams?
  3. Data from a recently released report highlights a concerning...
  4. With an ageing and growing population, data from the...
  5. Approximately 411,000 Australians are estimated to be living...
  6. How could you benefit from attending university as an older...

Recent articles

  1. Falls remain one of the biggest worries for families with...
  2. Imagine helping your toddler learn to walk while helping your...
  3. Deciding to move into a retirement village is a big step. For...
  4. If you have a loved one living in aged care, you may be...
  5. Big changes are coming to how much older Australians and their...
  6. As the government redesigns the aged care system, everyday...
  7. As we age, having the right legal documents in place can make...
  8. If you’re under 65 and living with dementia — or...
  9. If you or a loved one urgently needs aged care in Australia...
  10. For many older Australians, staying in their own home as they...
  11. SPONSORED — As we age, sleep can become more elusive. Many...
  1. {{ result.posted_at | timeago }}

Sorry, no results were found
Perhaps you misspelled your search query, or need to try using broader search terms.
Please type a topic to search
Some frequently searched topics are "dementia", "elderly" etc
Close