Device that warns truck drivers of impending collision now costs less

A new tie-up announced yesterday between the Singapore Transport Association (STA) and Spring Singapore would see 20 firms receiving up to 70 percent in subsidies to obtain Mobileye - a device that would warn heavy vehicle drivers of an impending collision.

Mobileye is distributed by local vehicle safety company, Chuan-Fa Auto, with a price tag of $2,000 each. The device has been sold in Singapore for the past four years.

Each firm can install the device in a maximum of 30 vehicles in its fleet under the scheme funded by Spring Singapore's Capability Development Grant - a financial assistance programme for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), reported The Straits Times.

The Mobileye Telematics Advanced Driver Assistance System (Mobileye) is the first warning system in heavy vehicles which could sense bicycles, pedestrians or other vehicles on the road. Mobileye is made up of a smart camera and screen mounted on the windshield and dashboard respectively.

The driver is warned - either through a visual or signal alert - when a dangerous situation is sensed - for example, when a pedestrian dashes out onto the road. Drivers would also be alerted to road speed limits and can be warned if they are drifting out of their lane.

The device analyses and monitors road conditions via computer and machine vision technology. For example, Mobileye can 'interpret' a scene, captured in real time by the camera, and give drivers an immediate evaluation.

In addition, the firms can track their drivers' driving pattern through the monitoring system linked to the device. If a driver is found to be driving recklessly, his boss might consider sending him for training.

Dave Ng, Chairman of STA, said the association is introducing the device to its members in light of a number of unfortunate accidents involving heavy vehicles, in which lives were lost in recent years. The English daily added that the number of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles have increased from 32 cases in 2012 to 44 last year.