Telstra retrofits 300 NRMA vehicles with Mobileye tech

Telstra has worked with the National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) to retrofit more than 300 roadside assistance vehicles with Mobileye technology to help reduce the number of incidents on the road.

Mobileye – owned by Intel – develops advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that give drivers a “third-eye” on the road.

The system provides drivers with audio and visual warnings, giving them a vital extra few seconds to react to a potential collision. According to Telstra’s press release, nearly 80 percent of accidents stem from inattentive drivers within three seconds.

Mobileye’s 6 Series uses an artificial vision sensor to monitor the road for pedestrians or other vehicles, alerting drivers within up to two seconds before a collision, or up to 2.7 seconds on highways or in urban areas. The system also provides speed alerts and lane departure warnings.

The system consists of a single camera fitted to the front of the vehicle and a dashboard alert unit connected to the vehicle’s computer to give visual and audible warnings.

Most NRMA drivers have had the Mobileye kits installed for six to eight weeks now, which can be fitted in under two hours. Drivers only need a short briefing on the technology before they can start utilising it.

“These systems will benefit the NRMA by creating safer driving conditions across the Mobileye-enabled fleet,” Telstra said in a press release. “Typically, after driving for some time with the system installed, drivers grow accustomed to the alerts and anticipate them.”